nia THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES A COMPLETE HISTORY O F ENGLAND, FROM THE DESCENT of JULIUS CJESAR, T O T H E TREATY of Aix LA CHAPELLE, 1748* •Containing the TRANSACTIONS of One Thoufand Eight Hundred and Three Years. ; By T. SMOLLETT, M. D. THE THIRD EDITION. VOLUME THE FIFTH. Non tamen pigebit vel incondita ac rudi voce memoriam prioris fervitutig, ac teftimonium prasfentium bonorum compofuifle. TACIT. Agricola. LONDON: printed for JAMES RIVINGTON and JAMES FLETCHER, at the 1-Theatre; and R.BALDWIN, at theRofe, inPaternofter-row. MDCCLVIII. THE HISTORY O F ENGLAND. BOOK FOURTH. e$oofrc&o^o^c^ HENRY VI. Surnamed of Wi N D s o R. AS foon as Charles found himfelf in a condi- A.C. 1449. tion to renew the war, he, in the name of Theprogrefs the duke of Bretagne, furprifed the caftle of ^nhe^ench Couches, and Pont-de-1'Arche in Normandy, Ger- Norman Decauk he knew that the duke of JhoiTPro-C Somerfet and the earl of Shrewsbury, who com- ?""*• manded the garrifon, which did not exceed three thoufand men, would not be able to defend the place againft the inhabitants ; for he carried on a correfpondence with the townfmen, and they allur- ed him that they would take arms in his favour. On the firft day of the fiege, the count of Dunois was on the point of being introduced with three hundred men, when Shrewfbury chancing to come up, had the good fortune to repulfe the detachment. This mifcarriage did not alter the refolution of the inhabitants, who, on the nineteenth day of October, rofe as one man, and opened the gates to the be- fiegers. All the regent could do, was to ftation the garrifon at the principal pofts of the city, from which, however, they were foon diflodged. Somer- fet and Shrewfbury retreated to the palace with eight hundred men ; but, as they forefaw their pro- vifion would foon fail, the duke demanded a parley with king Charles. This being granted, he offered H E N R Y VI. 5 to. retire on honourable conditions; but the king A-C-X440. jnfifted upon his furrendering at dilcretion, unlefs he had a mind to treat for the. reft of Normandy that remained in the hands of the Engliih. Thus repulfed, the duke retired to the palace, which he defended twelve days ; at the expiration of which he faw himfelf obliged to capitulate, on condition of leaving all his artillery, paying fifty thou - fand crowns of gold^ and reftoring to the French king Caudebec, Arques,. Lillebonne, Tancarville, Montrevilliers, and Harfleur. The earl of Shrewf- bury remained as hoftage for the performance of thefe articles ; and the Englifh garrifon marched out of Rouen, which Charles entered in triumph on the nineteenth day of November. As the go- vernor of Harfleur did not think himfelf obliged to fubmit to the capitulation, the count de Longue- ur ille was detached with the army to form the fiege of that place, which furrendered about the begin- ning of January. Although Charles had a right to detain the earl of Shrewsbury* as the capitula- tion of Rouen had not been obferved by the Eng- lifh, he, in token of efteem for the earl's character, releafed him without ranfom. During thefe tran- faclions, the count de Foix, who commanded for Charles in Guienne, reduced the caftle of Mauleon, which was fituated on a rock, and deemed almoft impregnable j and thus ended the firft campaign, H;& Thefe difafters were the more feverely felt at the A c. I4$0i court of England, as they were followed by a Murmurs rebellion in Ireland; which hindred the miniftry aqguajennfta^e from fending the necefiary fupplies to France, the duke of Neverthelefs, the queen and the duke of Suffolk Suftolk- hoped to derive fome advantage from that infur- recTiion. They feized this opportunity of removing the duke of York, on pretence of creating him B 3 governor 6 HISTORYoFENGLAND. A. c. 1450, governor of Ireland, where they thought he would perifii. But he baffled their expedition ; and, by his obliging and infmuating manners, not only ap- peafed the commotion, without drawing his fword, but even engaged the people of that country in his intereft, to which they continued firmly attached in the fequel. The lofs of Normandy in one cam- paign, after fo much blood and treafure had been expended in the conqucft of that province, together with the rapid progrefs of Charles in other parts of France, began to produce a violent fermentation in the impatient humour of the Englifh. -The whole kingdom refounded with complaints againft the duke of Suffolk, who was publicly reproached with having betrayed the ftate, and co-operated with the queen in favour of the French monarch. The council confided wholly of their creatures, who likewife filled all the pofts of dignity and pro- fit. The duke of Somerfet, who had contracted for the defence of Normandy, was accufed of having mifapplied the money payed for that fervice. A numerous body of men at arms having been raifed by Humphrey duke of Buckingham, on condition that they mould receive a whole year's pay advance ; the treaiurer refufed to comply with the terms of the contract, and the duke returning to court from the fea-fide, when they were ready to embark, re- figned his commiffion, faying publicly to the king, Sir, take heed of your government ; you are ' mifled by traitors : and if 1 had landed in Nor- mandy with your forces, I am perfuaded we fhoukl have been fold to the enemy." Suffolk being prefent, and fuppofing this declaration aimed t him, was fo incenfed that he drew his dagger, and would have (lain Humphrey, had not the by- ders imcrpofed. This infolent behaviour, in the royal prefence, roufed even the indignation of nry, who could fcarce be difTuadcd irom fend- ing H E N R Y VI. ing him to the Tower; and it ferved to complete A- c the avernon of the nobility and people, who not Only exclaimed againft the queen and him in all public places, but alfo publifhed a great number of libels, affixing them to the doors of churches, and every remarkable place in the city of London. Tho' this was a very dangerous conjuncture for WKO the miniftry to call a parliament, the neceffities of E't the crown were fo urgent, that they had been obliged to fummon one in November of the pre- ceding year. But it proved very backward in the articb of fupply, and feemed ftrongly difpofed to profecute the duke of Suffolk. It had been fof thefe reafons prorogued from Weftminiter to Lon- don ; and, during this interval, the city was filled with tumult and confufion. The populace mur- dered Adam Molyns biftiop of Chichefter, who had been concerned in the ceflion of Le Maine •, and that prelate, in his lad moments, charged Suffolk with having boafted in the council, of his great influence at the French court. When the parliament met afcer this adjournment, the duke thinking it was incum- bent on him to vindicate his character in this par- ticular, harrangued both houfes, in a fpeech con- taining an enumeration of the fervices of himfelf and his family, and a vehement profeffion of his loyalty; and he concluded with defying all the world to prove him guilty of difloyalty or mifcon- du£b. The commons, far from being intimidated by this declaration, petitioned the crown that Suffolk might be committed to ward, according to law, until he mould clear himfelf of the crimes charged upon him by common fame and report. The judges being confulted on the nature of this petition, were of opinion, that as no fpecial matter of (lander or infamy was declared, he mould not be committed. The commons, informed of this decifion, repre- fented next day a fpecial matter of report; namely, B 4 that t HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A.C. i45o. that the realm of England would be fold to France ; and that preparations were making in that kingdom for an invafion, by contrivance of the duke of Suf- folk, who had fortified Wallingford-caftle, to ferve as a place of refuge. On thefeventh day of Febru- ary, the commons, by their fpeaker, impeached Suf- folk of divers articles of treafon, contained in a bill delivered to the chancellor, importing, That he had confulted with the count of Dunois, Ber- trand de Prefiigny, and W. Coufinat, the king's enemies, advifing them to incite the French king to invade England, depofe Henry, and raife to the throne his fon John de la Pole, who, by marry- ing Margaret, daughter and heir to John late duke of Somerfer, might claim the crown in her right, as next heir to Henry, who had no iflue : That he had received money and promifes from the duke of Orleans, to perfuade the king to confent to his en- largement, that he might afiift Charles in the re- covery of France : That, by his inftigation, the duke of Orleans had prevailed upon the French king to violate the truce, and renew the war in Normandy : That he had, without fufficient power, engaged for the ceflion of Lc Maine ; and, after his return, executed that engagement,, which was the caufe of Normandy's being loft to the Eng- Jifti nation : That he had difcovered the fee rets of the king's council to the count de Dunois, and other French ambafladors : That he had made them acquainted with the ftate of all the French fortrefles belonging to the Englifh in France i dif- covered the fecret inftructions of the Englifh en- voys lent to treat of a peace between the two crowns ; boafted of his credit with Charles j re- ceived bribes from the enemy, for hindering rein- forcements from being fcnt to the continent •, and in the truce which he concluded, not only neglect- ed comprehending the king of Arragon, the old ally of England, buc included the duke of Bre- tagne H E N R Y VI. tagne as ally of France ; a circumftance which had A c detached that prince imirely from the intereil of the Englifh. This bill of articles was prefented to Henry, who A fec had already ordered Suffolk to be committed -, and prefer nothing more was done in this affair till the feventh again day of March* when the lords agreed, that the duke mould be called to his anfwer. In two days after this refolution, fomeof the lords going to thehoufe of commons, were prefented with feventeen new ar- ticles againft the duke of Suffolk, to be delivered to his majefty. Thefe amounted only to mifdemea- nors ; charging him with having, in quality of a privy councilor, advifed the king to make fuch lavifh grants of the crown lands, that a fufficiency was not left to defray the expences of the houfhold : with having procured grants of privileges and fran- chifes, to obftrucl: the execution of the laws, and icreen offenders from juftice : with having pro- cured for the Captal de Buche his fon-in-law, the earldom of Kendal, and lands in Guienne to the value of a thoufand pounds a year, violently taken from the lawful pofleffors •, with having advifed grants of caftles and lordmips in Guienne, fo as to weaken the power of the crown in that country : with having maintained an intelligence in France, touching the treaty between England and the count of Armagnac; by which means that negotiation was rendered ineffectual, the count ruined, and the Gafcon lords were opprefied, until they fubmitted to the French government : with having procured offices and commands in France and Normandy, for unworthy perfons : with having been the means of granting a toll on wine and merchandize brought dov/n the Seine, to Peter de Breze, an enemy to the Fnglifh nation : with having procured a grant of Evreux, Longueville, and other fignories in Normandy, for the count of Dunois, Previgny, and the 10 H I S T O R Y OF EN GLAND. A. c. 1450; thefaid Breze; grants, in confequence of which, the great towns were taken without refinance : with having brought the French ambafTadors to a pri- vate conference with Henry, in which he agreed to a perfonal convention with Charles, and other ar- ticles flipulated without the confent or knowledge of the privy council : with having mifapplied and embezzled fubfidies : with having given away con- fiderable fums of the public money to the queen of France, and the miniftersof Charles : with having mared between himfelf and his adherents, fixty thoufand pounds, being the produce of fubfidies Jeft in the exchequer by the lord Sudely, when he refigned his poft and treafurer : with having pro- cured for himfelf a grant of the county of Pem- broke, the reverfion of Haverfordweft, and other caftles in Whales, together with the wardfhip and marriage of Margaret, daughter of John duke of Somerfet : with having embezzled the bonds of the dutchefs of Burgundy, and other perfons bound for the ranfom of the duke of Orleans : with hav- ing likewife embezzled writs, perverted juftice, maintained bad caufes, and impaired the antient friendfliip fubiilling between the crown of England and the princes of the empire. His banifli- The duke of Suffolk having received a copy of S.a"d tnefe articles, was committed to a, tower in the royal palace of Weftminfter ; from whence being brought before the lords on the thirteenth day of March, to give in his anfwer, he kneeled down and declared the eight articles of high treafon to be falle and malicious. He obferved, that the firft, relating to Margaret, could not poffibly be true, fmce fhe was not the next heir of the crown by law -, and, he appealed to feveral lords, to vouch for his defign of marrying his fon to the duke of Warwick's daughter. With refpefr. to the other articles, he referred to a£s of council and parlia- 3 ment H E N R Y VI. if ment for his juftification -, and affirmed, that the A> c- '*s°* biihop of Chichefter had mifreprefented the words fpoken by him in the Star-chamber. On the,ieven- teenth day of March, the lords fpirit,ual and tem- poral were afiembled in the king's chamber. Suf- fold being brought before them, kneeled down ; and the chancellor afking, what he had to fay in his own defence, he again protefted he was inno- cent, affirmed the articles to be falfe, and fubmit- ted himfelf to the king's pleafure. Then the chan- cellor gave him to underftand, that his majefty did not hold him convicted on the firft bill of articles of high treafon ; and, as to the fecond, charging him with mifprifions or mifdemeanors, the king, by vir- tue of his fubmifllon, out of his own motion, and not by way of judgment, banifhed him the realm for the term of five years, during which, he mould not abide in France, or any country under the French dominion ; nor mould he by word, deed, or writ- ing, by himfelf, or his adherents, (hew malice to the commons in parliament. At the fame time, the lords joined the vifcount Beaumont, in a proteft, that this fentencc was not the refult of their ad- vice, but, purely the king's own aft, which mould not at all derogate from their liberties in the cafe of peerage. The duke of Suffolk bore his fentence R0t. pa^ without repining; becaufe, he faw it was the only expedient that could have been ufed for faving him from the fury of the incenfed people. He therefore embarked for France •, but, the veflcl being fearched in her paflage, by one Nicholas, captain of an Englifh cruifer, the unfortunate duke was dif- covered, and inftantly beheaded without form of procefs. His body being thrown upon the fands near Dover, was taken up and interred in the col- Rot Ejf legiate church of Wingfield in Suffolk. H. Vt The death of this nobleman was the prelude to a great many popular commotions, John Ayfcough, bifhop ^ H I S T O R Y OF E N G L A N D. -»• headed, without any form of trial; and, in the evening retired to the Borough of Southwaik. For feme days, he continued the practice of entering the city 'in the morning, and quitting it at night, that he might not give umbrage to the burghers, with whom he lived at fir ft in very good under- ftanding. But, at length, the infurgents having plundered fome houfes, and committed other out- rages, Cade, one morning, found the gate of the bridge (hut and fecured againft him. Endeavour- ing to force his way, an engagement enfued between the rebels and citizens, which lailed all day, and was not interrupted until the combants could fee no lor.ger to fight. The archbifhop of Canter- bury, and the chancellor, who had taken refuge in the Tower, being informed by their emiflaries of the difpofidon of the infurgents, who were dif- heartened by this check, and heartily tired "of re- bellion, drew up an act of amnefty, confirmed by the iandion of the great fcal, and found means to publiih it by night in the Borough of Southwark. The effect of th;s expedient was fo fudden and fur- prifing, that by day-break, Cade law himfelf aban- doned by the greater number of his followers, and retreatea to Rcchefter, where the reft of them dif- peried, notwithftanding all his remonftrances and artful fpeeches, in which he endeavoured to per- fuade them, that the pardon was inefredual, with- out the authority of parliament. Thus deferred, Cade was obliged to fly alone into the wolds of Kent •, and a price being fet upon his head by pro- clamation, he was discovered, and flain by Alexan- stroT* ^er keen, wno *°r ln*s iervice was recompenced pS£n. *'ith the government of Dover caftle. TU jrr-ch While the peace of England was interrupted by k-ng ex;:.i this iniurrection, the war continued in France -, but, ^JylT. ""' ftill to the difadvantage of the Englifn. The queen ;- rrceiving, that the difiatisfadion of the people HENRY VI. 15 proceeded in a great meafure from the misfortunes A of the Englim arms in that k made an effort to retrieve her credit, r, ^ a reinforce- ment of four thoufand mtr.. v.e comman4 of Sir Thomas Kyrls, who landed at Cherbourg in Normandy ; and proce C«en, where the duke at that time redded. In his march he was joined by feveral fmall detachments from Englifh garrifons in that neighbourhood, and took Valog- nes, after a fieg^ of three weeks. The cnnftable of Richernont informed of thefe op?ri: :.TI- bled a body of feven thoufand men, and polled himfelf at Fourmigni, to intercept the Englifh in their route. Kyrle, tho' greatly inferior in number, attacked them without heflcation ; but, after an obftinate engagement, rrs tDops were defeated, and he himieif remained in the nanus o: ~y. This reinforcement being deftroyed, the duke or Somerfet was obliged to keep within the walls of Caen, and fee the French extend their conqutfts without oppoStion. The towns of Vere, Bayeux, St. Sauveur le Vicomte. Vaiognes, Avranches, and Tombelaine, furrendered aimoil without refiftance ; and, upon the feventh day of June, the city of Caen was invefted. Thegarrifon confifted of four thoufand men inured to fcrvice ; but, the duke capitulated to furrender the place, if not relieved by the firft day of July, on condition, that the gar- rifon mould be at liberty to retire with their effects to England. Falaife being inverted at the fame time, bir Andrew Trollop, who comm- garriion confining of fifteen hundred men, capitulated on the fame conditions •, and the reduction of Cher- bourg, the garrifon of which fubmttted on the twelfth day of Auguft, finiihed the intire conq_ of Normandy. In the month of September, the count de Dunois was fent with a detachment into Guienne, where he reduced Bergerac, Jenlac. ferrand. ,4 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A. c. 1450. headed, wichout any form of trial ; and, in the evening retired to the Borough of Southwark. For fome days, he continued the practice of entering the city in the morning, and quitting it at night, that he might not give umbrage to the burghers, with whom he lived at firft in very good under- Handing. But, at length, the infurgents having plundered fome houfes, and committed other out- rages, Cade, one morning, found the gate of the bridge Jhut and fecured againft him. Endeavour- ing to force his way, an engagement enfued between the rebels and citizens, which lafled all day, and v/as not interrupted until the combants could fee no longer to fight. The archbilhop of Canter- bury, and the chancellor, who had taken refuge in the Tower, being informed by their emifiaries of the difpofition of the infurgents, who were dif- heartened by this check, and heartily tired 'of re- bellion, drew up an act of amnefty, confirmed by the function of the great feal, and found means to publifh it by night in the Borough of Southwark. The effect of this expedient was fo fudden and fur- -.. prifmg, that by day-break, Cade faw himfelf aban- doned by the greater number of his followers, and retreated to Rcchefler, where the reft of them dif- perled, notwithftanding all his remonftrances and artful fpeeches, in which he endeavoured to per- fuade them, that the pardon was ineffectual, with- out the authority of parliament. Thus deferred, Cade was obliged to fly alone into the wolds of Kent ; and a price being fet upon his head by pro- clamation, he was difcovered, and (lain by Alexan- *kr keen, wno f°r this fervice was recompenced with the government of Dover caftle. While the peace of England was interrupted by £^S '"^rrection, C^e war continued in France -, but, to the difad vantage of the Englilh. The queen ^ac tne difiatisfaclion of the people pro - HENRY VI. proceeded in a great meafure from the misfortunes A< c< of the Englift). arms in that kingdom, had made an effort to retrieve her credit, by fending a reinforce- ment of four thoufand men, under the command of Sir Thomas Kyrle, who landed at Cherbourg in Normandy ; and proceeded fur Caen, where the duke at that time refided. In his march he was joined by feveral fmall detachments from Englifh garrifons in that neighbourhood, and took Valog- nes, after a fiege of three weeks. The conftable of Richemont informed of thefe operations, aflem- bled a body of feven thoufand men, and pofted himfelf at Fourmigni, to intercept the Englifh in their route. Kyrle, tho' greatly inferior in number, attacked them without hefitation ; but, after an obftinate engagement, his troops were defeated, and he himfelf remained in the hands of the enemy. This reinforcement being deftroyed, the duke of Somerfet was obliged to keep wichin the walls of Caen, and fee the French extend their conquefts without oppofition. The towns of Vere, Bayeux, St. Sauveur le Vicomte, Valognss, Avranches, and Tombelaine, furrendered almoft without refiftance -. and, upon the feventh day of June, the city of Caen was in veiled. The garrifon confided of four thoufand men inured to fervice ; but, the duke capitulated to furrender the place, if not relieved by the firft day of July, on condition, that the gar- rifon mould be at liberty to retire with their effects to England. Falaife being inverted at the fame time, {Sir Andrew Trollop, who commanded the garrifon confiding of fifteen hundred men, capitulated on the fame conditions ; and the reduction of Cher- bourg, the garrifon of which fubmitted on the twelfth day of Auguft, rmiihed the intire conqueft of Normandy. In the month of September, the count de Dunois was fent with a detachment into Guienne, where he reduced Bergerac, Jenfac, Mont- ferrand. i6 HISTORY orENGLAND. A. c. 145=. fcrrand, St. Foy, and Chalais, before the end of the campaign. In May he took the field again ; and in the courfe of that month took Montguyon, Blay, Bourg, Fronfac, Libourne, and Caftillon in Perigord : and Bourdeaux was furrendered by ca- pitulation, bec^ufenot relieved before Midfummer. This was the cafe with all the places in that neigh- bourhood. Dax was reduced by the counts of Foix and Armagnac, the lord of Albret, and other Gal- con barons ; and Bayonne, which was blocked up by fea and land, fubmitted on the twenty- fixth day of Auguft. Thus, the whole province of Guienne fell under the dominion of Charles, after it had been united three hundred years to the crown of England. The towns were well affected to the Englifa government ; but, the great lords, tempted with the hope of preferment at the court of France, co-operated with the efforts of Charles, in wrefting this country from the king of England, who was now difpoffeffed of every foot of land which his Hi*, de anceftors had acquired in France, except Calais and charksvii. its dependencies. The duke of When the duke of Somerfet returned to En»- Sometkt . committed land, the parliament was fitiing j and the outcry Tower againft him was fo loud and univerfal, that the commons could not help taking fome notice of his conduct. They accordingly prefented an addrefs to his majefty, defiring, that the regent might be com- mitted to the Tower, until his behaviour in France could be properly examined. Henry did not think it prudent to refufe the requeft of the commons at fuch a juncture; and the populace werefo tranfported •with joy at the news of the duke's commitment, that they went immediately to his houfe, which they pillaged : and, notwithstanding a proclamation ifiued to difperfe them, continued in a body, doing abun- dance of mifchief, until fome of their leaders were apprehended, and hanged in terrorem. The conv 1 rnons H £ N R Y VI, 17 mons then petitioned Henry, to remove from his A. 0.1450. prefence Edmund duke of Somerfet, Alice dutchefs dowager of Suffolk, William Bothe bifhop of Chef- ter, John Sutton, lord Dudley, and others ; but* Henry amufed them with an equivocal anfwer. Then they brought in an act of attainder for cor- rupting the blood, and confifcating the lands of the late duke of Suffolk; but, this aft was rc- jefted by the king : and the humour of the com- mons growing every day more and more obftinate, the parliament was diffolved, without having granted any fupply. Immediately after their feparation, the R0t. Parlj duke of Somerfet was releafed, and fucceeded Suffolk in the miniftry, as well as in the queen's favour. The court was now involved in great perplexity A. c. 1451; and uneafmefs about the duke of York, who was intrigues of fuppofed to have excited the late infurrection, and to be employed in hatching other more dangerous fchemes againft the government. The fudden death of Cade had prevented any confeftlon, of which they might have taken the advantage to the preju- dice of Richard, whom they could not now arreft without incurring the imputation of injuftice -, bur, as they were apprehenfive of his railing an army in Ireland, to fupport his title to the crown, the king ifiued orders to the meriffs of Wales, Shrop- fhire, and Chefhire, to affemble each his different pofie, and oppofe his landing. This was a very impolitic precaution, as it not only publifhed his apprehenfion of the duke of York, which it was his intereft to conceal ; but, it alarmed the duke fo as to put him on his guard, and furnifhed him with aplaufible pretext to take arms in his own de- fence. As the duke had not yet formed any di- gefted project, nor taken the lead ftep that could be confirmed into a mifdemeanour, he wrote a letter to Henry, complaining of his fufpicion as injurious, N°-4i. C and i8 HISTORYoFENGLAND. A.C. T45T. ancj calculated for a pretence to ruin his character and fortune. He received a mild anfwer from the king, who promifed, that he fhould have fatisfac- tion ; but in the mean time the orders were not re- called. Tho' Cade's enterprize had not fucceeded, the duke of York did not fail to reap conuderable advantages from that infurrection. The great num- ber of people who joined or favoured that caufe, plainly demonftrated, that the nation was full of mal- contents ; and, that the title of the houfe of March was ftill remembered with regard. He conceived frefh hopes from thefe confiderations ; believing, that if the very name of a perfon belonging to that family had armed fuch a number in his caufe, he who was a prince of the blood royal, and the law- ful reprefemative of Mortimer, could not fail to raife the better part of the kingdom in fupport of his pretenfions. That he might not, however, ruin his project by too much precipitation, he refolved to confult his friends, before he would engage in an enterprize of fuch moment ; and, when the term of his government in Ireland was expired, he em- barked for England, in order to confer with them upon this fubjeft. Notwithflanding the vigilance of the merifts, he landed without oppofition, and repaired to London, where his adherents waited for him with impatience. The principal of thefe were, John Mowbray duke of Norfolk j Richard Nevil earl of Salifbury, in right of his wife, daughter to him who was flain at the fiege of Orleans •, his fon Richard Nevil, afterwards earl of Warwick, by his marriage with Anne Beauchamp, daughter of that earl who died in France ; Thomas Courtney., earl of Devonlhire, the fon in-law of the duke of Somerfct ; and Edward Brook, baron of Cobham. T*16 court be'n§ cn a Progrefs to the weftern counties, thefe confederates had an opportunity of concerting their meafures without moleftation j and the HENRY VI. 19 the refult of their conferences was, that the duke A>c> I4SIf of York mould retire to Wales, v/here the houfe of March had always great influence* and lecure the afliftance of his friends, in fuch manner, that he Ihould be able to affemble an army at pleafure. Thefe previous fteps being taken, he mould write to the king, informing him of the cliflontents of the people ; and, defiring that juftice might be done upon the duke of Somerfet. According to this re- folution, he retired ; and having lecured the people of Wales in his intereft, wrote a remonftrance to Henry, importing, that the whole kingdom was difgufted at his conduct in countenancing traitors ; and, that he could not help taking the liberty of advifmg him to prevent the fatal confequences of popular dittitisfaction. He exhorted him to bring delinquents to juftice ; and in particular, to give up the duke of Somerfet, who, tho' accufed by the houfe of commons, had been let at liberty, and re- ellablifhed in his majefty's favour, without having undergone the leaft examination •, and, in cafe the king fliould be difpofed to grant that fatisfaction to the people, he offered to affift him with all his power in the execution of fuch a laudable defign. The court eafily perceived, that he wanted no more than a pretence for revolting; and, as they were refolved, that the odium of a rupture fhould not lie with them, the king favoured him with a civil anfwer, in which he aflured him, that he had laid down a refolution to reform the abufes of his go- vernment ; for which purpofe, he was determined to choofe a certain number of wife and virtuous councilors, among whom the duke of York Ihould be one of the firft •, that no traitor fhould be coun- tenanced, or even pafs with impunity ; but, the punifhment of fuch delinquents being an affair of great confluence, required the moft mature deli- beration : as to Uie duke of Somerfet, in particular, Ca he 20 HIS TORY oi ENGLAND. A.C. 1451. he (houid be brought to anfwer any accufations laid jja™'6'8 An~ to his charge in a legal manner. A. c.i452. This was fuch an inftance of condefcenfion, as The duke of deprived the duke of York of all pretence of taking wncVwith UP arms- Neverthelefs, as he had prepared an army, an army to and looked upon this mew of moderation as a lure Bremheath. ^ ^^ ^m ^ bjjnd fecurity? fte refolved tO profecute his defign of removing the duke of So- merfet from the council, and proceed or defift as he himfelf mould fee it convenient or practicable. He therefore affembled his troops, and began his march for London ; but, he did not find the court fo un- prepared as he had imagined : the queen no fooner underftood that he had retired to Wales, than guefling his defign, me began to levy forces in the king's name, without mentioning the fervice for which they were deftined ; fo that the duke had fcarce begun his march, when he received intelli- gence, that the king was advancing at the head of an army to give him battle. Surprifed at this infor- mation, he did not think proper to expofe himfelf to the iflue of an engagement, until he mould be furnimed with a better pretext for fighting againft his fovereign. He hoped the people would efpoufe his caufe, and was very defirous of engaging the city of London in his intereft, before he mould venture to declare his real defign. He therefore, inftead of waiting for the king's approach, changed his route ; and, by forced marches arrived before him at London, where he expected to be received with open arms. He had the mortification, how- ever, to find the gates fhut upon him, and the inhabitants determined againft taking any flep in his favour, while the king was at his heels with a more numerous army than that which he com- manded. In this emergency, he was obliged to pafs the Thames at Kinglton, and intrench himfelf at Bremheath, ac the datance of twelve miles from London, HENRY VI. 21 London, The king following him by the way of A< c< ns2- London bridge, encamped within four miles of him ; and fent two bifhops to know the cauie of his appearing in arms againft the government. The duke, difappointed in one part of his cxpec- The duke of tations, refolved to temporize, that he might not J^ ^ ruin his affairs by too much precipitation. He re- forces. plied, that his intention was not to renounce his obedience to the king, but folely to remove from him all evil counfellors, of whom the duke of Somerfet was the principal ; and that if his ma- j~fty would commit that nobleman to prifon, and detain him in confinement till the meeting of the next parliament, he would immediately difband his forces. He concluded, that his demand would be rejected by the king and queen, as they were en- tirely governed by the perfon againit whom he had remonftrated -, and he hoped their rtfufal would be of great fervice to his caufe, in demonftrating the queen's refolution to involve the nation in a civil war, rather than part with her minion, who was odious to the whole kingdom. Here again, he was miftaken in his conjecture. The king immediately accepted the propofal, alTuring him, that Somerfet mould be fent to the Tower -, and, that nobleman was immediately put under an arreft. The duke of York was not a little furprifed at this condefcen - fion, and wifhed he could have revoked his engage- ment i but, as he could not retract without de- claring his real aim too openly, he determined to run fome rifque in his own perfon, rather than for- feit the favour of the people, on which his chief hope of fuccefs was founded. Without the leaft hesitation he difbanded his troops ; and vifited the king, tho' unprovided with any fecurity for the fafety of his perfon. When he was introduced to his majefty, he accufed the duke of Somerfet as a traitor who had facrificed the intereft of the king- C dom 22 H I S T O R Y OF E N G L AN D. A. £.1451. dom to his avarice and ambition. The duke, who flood concealed in the tent, hearing his character thus impeached, quitted his hiding-place ; and not only denied the charge with great warmth, but in his turn, taxed York with a traitorous defign to de- throne his majefty. Richard, feting his antagonift at liberty in the king's tenr, after having been aflured, that he was in confinement, perceived he had been duped ; and at once comprehended the danger of his own fituation. Neverthelefs, without appear- ing difconcerted, he complained of the deceit which had been pracVifed upon him by the fuggeftions of the duke of Somerfet, on whom he aftedted to lay the blame of this double-dealing. The court was at very little pains to excufe the collufion ; and when York took his leave of Henry, and wou!4 have retired, he was arrefted by the king's order. If his enemies had followed the impulle of their animofity, he never would have extricated himfelf from the fnare in which he was entangled by his own imprudence : but, feveral circumitances con- curred towards his prefervation. The queen and Somerfet dreaded the refentment of the people, among whom he had acquired great influence and favour. The court had received falfe intelligence, that his fon Edward, the young earl of March, ac- companied by all the friends of the family, was at the head of a ilrong army advancing to the duke's afMance ; and, at this very juncture, de- puties arrived from Gafcony, with offers of re- nouncing the dominion of France, if the king of England would fend a body of troops for their fupport. They forefaw, that the death of the duke of York would involve them in a civil war, which, exclufive of other confequences, would hinder them from fending a fupply of forces for the recovery of Guienne. Thefe confiderations induced them to fee the duke at liberty, tho* the fafety of themfelves and HENRY VI. 23 and the houfe of Lancafter feemed to demand the A- c- HS*. facrifice of his life • but, before his enlargement, they compelled him to take a new oath of allegiance, by which he obliged himfelf to remain faithful to Henry till death, and promifed he would never take arms againft him on any pretence whatfoever ; then he was permitted to retire to hiseftate of Wigmore, and the duke of Somerfet continued to enjoy his Stowe influence at court without a rival. Speed. King Henry was not more difturbed by the in- Taibot earl fluence and defigns of York, than Charles of ^Tent France was perplexed and chagrined with the con- with a re" dud of the dauphin, who was proud, turbulent, jfc and ambitious. He refided in Dauphine, where he acted as fovereign, and payed very little regard to the orders of his father. He had even demanded in marriage Yolante, daughter to the duke of Sa- voy ; and that prince had granted his requefl, with- out deigning to intimate the defign to king Charles, who was fo much incenfed at their preemption, that he afiembled an army of thirty thoufand men, and marched towards Lyons, to chaftife his fon, and punifh the duke of Savoy for this contempt of his character and authority : but he was diverted from his purpofe by an unexpected revolution in Guienne. The Gafcons had acknowledged the French dominion for no other reafon than that of being left deftitute of refource by the Engliih ; and the army of Charles had no fooner quitted Guienne, than the nobility, in concert with the inhabitants of Bourdeaux, refolved to recal their ancient makers. For this purpofe they fent deputies to Lcndon ; and as foon as the commotions were appeafed, the queen and council deliberated upon their propofals, which they approved, They concluded, that the fuccefs of fuch an enterprize would raife their credit among the people •, and they determined to fend over a, body of forces, under the command of the re- C 4 nowned 24 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A.C.I45Z. nowned Talbot earl of Shrew/bury, who had lately returned from a voyage to Italy. Though he was now fourfcore years of age, he engaged in the fet vice with his ufual alacrity, and immediately embarked with feven hundred men at arms, leaving rhe reft of the troops deftined for that expedition, to follow with the firft opportunity. He landed near Bour- deauxon the twenty-firft day of October ; and next day, being introduced into that city by the burg- hers, furprifed and took the greater part of the French garrifon. Being joined in a few days by the reft of the troops from England, he took the field at the head of feven thoufand men, and re- duced Fronfac and Caftillon, together with fome other places, before he was obliged to put his Petepaniei. troops into winter-quarters. A. c. 1453. Charles was at Lyons when he received the dif- Thceariof agreeable news of Talbot's arrival and progrefs ; fJdefeScd3r ar"d immediately altered his refolution with regard and nab in to the dauphin, that he might unite all his endea- ° vours for tne prefervation of Guienne. He approved of the match between his fon and Yolante ; and be- ftowed one of his own daughters on the prince of Piedmont. He refolved to fend all his forces into Guienne in the fpring-, and in the mean time de- tached a body of ten thoufand men, under the command of Chabanes and the count de Penthievre, who, arriving in Saintonge, invefted Chalain and Caftillon, while the count de Clermont followed with the reft of the army. Chabanes having re- duced Chalain in the beginning of June, joined Penthievre before Caftillon, which continued to make a vigorous defence ; and the dread of Tal- bot's valour and experience induced them to fortify their camp with lines, palifadoes, and artillery. The earl of Shrewfbury remained in the neigh- bourhood of Bourdeaux with fix or feven thoufand men, and wavered in his refolutioris, He ardently 6 wiflied H E N R Y VI. 25 wiflied to relieve the place, but was apprehenfive of *• Ci '433* finding it impracticable, confidering the ftrength of the French camp, and the fuperiority of their num- ber. On the other hand, knowing that the count of Clermont was on his march, he thought there was a necefiity for ftriking fome defperate blow before the arrival of that general, otherwife he ftiould never have an opportunity of acting with any pfofpect or fuccefs againft their united efforts. This confidera- tion determined him to hazard an attack againft the two officers employed in the fiege of Caftiilon ; and he forthwith began his march for this purpofe. He at once defeated a body of four thoufancl men, commanded by Chabanes on the outfide of the in- trenchments ; and, in fpire of the cannon of the enemy, which deftroyed the Englifli in heaps, he charged the lines with fuch amazing impetuofity, that they would certainly have been forced, had not a body of cavalry quitted the intrenchments at a different place, and fallen upon the rear of the Eng- lifh, who now found themfelves furrounded on all fides, and e-xpofed to the fire of a very numerous train of artillery. Shrewsbury, though overwhelmed with old age, behaved with all the vigour and ac- tivity of youth ; and his fon the lord L'ifle approved himfelf worthy of fuch a valiant father; but ail their efforts proved ineffectual, and the earl, feeing his defeat inevitable, fcorned to outlive his difgrace. He conjured his fon to retire while yet there was a pofllbility of efcaping, that he might referve his courage for the occafions of his country ; but that gallant youth difdained the thoughts of leaving his father in the power of his enemies, and declared, that as they had fought, they fhould fall together. They accordingly rufhed into the thickeft of the battle j where the earl's horfe being killed by a cannon-ball, he fell to the ground, and as he lay was transfixed by a bayonet, while the lord L'Ifle loft 26 HISTORYorENGLAND. A. c. 1453. loft hjs own iifPi jn attempting to fave that of his parent. The Englifh were fo difcouraged by the fate of this renowned chief, that they betook them- felves to flight, leaving twelve hundred of their fellow-foldiers dead on the field of battle ; and the lord Molins, with about two hundred officers and foldiers, were taken prifoners. This defeat was at- tended with the furrender of Caftillon, and the ar- rival of the count de Clermont with the reft of the army j then Charles, repairing to the camp, divided his forces into four different bodies, which at the fame time inverted Cadillac, Libourne, Fronfac, and Bourdeaux. All thefe places were taken with very little difficulty, except the laft, which held out till the feventeenth day of October, when the gar- rifon capitulated, and were allowed to return to England. Thus the Englifh were again expelled from Guienne ; and of all the conquefts made by Edward III. in France, nothing remained but the Hift. deCh. towns of Calais and Guifnes, which Charles was not yet able to reduce. Ei^arifa"8' ^ Parnament nac^ met on the fixth day of March, mrmT Ia when the firft news of Talbot's fuccefs arrived in England ; and the members were fo well pleafed with his conduct, that they granted confiderable fubfidies for the profecution of the war in Guienne. They voted twenty thoufand archers, leaving the nomination of the officers to the king -, but feven thoufand of thefe were afterwards remitted, and the whole levy fufpended, until the king fhould be in a condition to go over and head them in perfon. Befides thefe fupplies, the duke of Somerlet ob- tained a grant of nine thoufand three hundred pounds for repairing the fortifications of Calais ; and provifion was made for the prompt payment of the garrifon. Edmund of Hadham, and Jafper of Hatfield, fons of queen Catherine by Owen Tudor, were declared uterine brothers of the king 5 the firft was H E N R Y VI. 27 was created earl of Richmond, and the other earl A. 0.1453. of Pembroke, with right of precedence above all earls in council and parliament. In this feffion Thomas Yonge, citizen of Briftol and barrifter at law, moved in the houfe of commons, that, as king Henry had no ifiue, the duke of York might be declared heir apparent of the crown •, but he was committed to the Tower for this motion, which was the moreunfeafonable as queen Margaret was fome months advanced in her pregnancy, and on the thir- teenth day of October delivered of a fon called Ed- ward, who was created prince of Wales and earl of Chefter. Thefe titles were confirmed by this parlia- ment, which, though frequently prorogued, was not diflblved till the following year. Mean while Henry Rot. P«I. was feized with a violent diftemper, which affected his mind as well as his body, and fcrved to confirm reports to the prejudice of the queen's charac- ter. Some people were bold enough to fay that the young prince was not begotten by Henry, who was impotent and infirm ; others alledged that the child was altogether fuppofititious : though many, who were well-wifhers to their country, not only acquitted the queen of all imputation, but con- ceived happy omens from the birth of this fon, who they hoped would attach the mother more warmly than ever to the intereft of England. The clamour againft the queen and miniftry was Thedukco encouraged by the friends andemifTaries of Richard Somer!et's duke of York, who, far from thinking himfelf JoThc bound by the oath which had been extoned from Tower- him during his confinement, perfifled in his refolu- tion to aflert his pretenfions to the crown, with the firft convenient opportunity : but, as he did not think it would be politic to divulge his real defign, until he mould have fecured a majority in the coun- 1 cil, he refolved to renew his perfecution againft the duke of Somerfet, who was either hated or envied by 2S HI STORY OF ENGLAND. A. c. 1453. by the whole nation : but even this aim he carefully concealed at the prefent juncture. The parliament had been adjourned to Reading, and afterwards to Weftminfter, for the fourteenth day of February, the king having fuffered a dangerous relapfe. In this interval, the fecret friends of the duke of York, who dill maintained the appearance of attachment to the court-party, infinuated to the queen and So- merfet, that, confidering the prefent ferment of the nation, they had very little reafon to expect the par- liament would be agreeable to their views ; that while the king enjoyed a good flare of health the orders lifted in his name were fuppofed to be dic- tated according to his will and direction ; but that, during the prevalence of his diftemper, their admi- niftration would want the fanction of his authority ; and in all probability the parliament, in compliance \vith the fenfe of the nation, would appoint a new miniftry. In order to prevent ttys misfortune, they obferved that it would be neceffary to admit into the council the duke of York, the earls of Salif- bury and Warwick, and fome other popular noble- men, to convince the public that they had no in- tention to govern by defpotic authority. This ad- vice appeared fo plaufible, that the queen and her favourite ran headlong into the fnare ; thofe noble- men were created members of the council before the meeting of parliament. They no fooner gained footing in this new Ration, than they fuperfeded the credit of their adverfaries, and even ventured ta arreft the duke of Somerfet in the queen*s chamber. 4> He was immediately committed prifoner to the Tower ; and the parliament was again prorogued to the fifteenth day of March, that the duke of York and his adherents might have time to tamper v/ith the members. Mean while the council expe- dited a commifiion to the duke, empowering him to hold the ieffion as the king's representative ; and the HE N R Y VI. 29 the firft days of that afTembly were fpent by the A. c. i4S4. commons in preparing an impeachment againft Somerfet, for the lofs of Normandy by his miicon- dud. On the fecond day of April, the great feal was committed to the charge of the earl of Salif- bury. Next day the parliament appointed the duke of York protector of the realm, defender of the church, and firft counfellor of the king, during the minority of Edward prince of Wales. York, being thus inverted with the whole power of the admini- ftration, deprived his rival of the government of Calais, which he himfelf afiumed by virtue of a commiflion in the name of Henry ; and every body believed that the impeachment of Somerfet would be carried on with equal vigour and difpatch : but it dragged on to the end of the year, and was de- layed, in all probability, for want of fufEcient evi- dence. In the beginning of the next year, the king Rot. Par!. recovering from his tedious diftemper, the autho- A. €.14554 rity which had been vefted in the duke of York ceafed of courfe ; and he did not as yet think his affairs ripe enough to difpute his majefty's pleafure. The adminiftration therefore returned into its for- mer channel i and the duke of Somerfet was dif- charged from his confinement. As he had been committed by a fimple order of the He isreieaf- 'council, he might have been enlarged bv the fame ed.'?n,d.r<:- .' , & , to ' . gains his in- authority, had not the impeachment or the com- fluence m mons intervened : fo that he was obliged to find the ccunci!< fecurity •, and the duke of Buckingham, with the earl of Wiltfhire, and two knights, became his fure- ties ; though they were afterwards d;fcharged from their obligation, by a ftretch of the prerogative contrary to the laws of the kingdom. The duke of York and his partilans now loit all their influence in the council, which reverted to the queen and Somerfet, by virtue of the king's recovery. Some noblemen, dreading the fatal confequences of an open 3o HISTORY or ENGLAND. A-C. 1455. Open rupture between the dukes of York and Sorhef- fet, interpofed their good offices towards an ao commodation. As it was the intereft of both to keep terms with the public, they agreed to refer their difpute to arbitration, and bound themfelves to ftibmit to the decifion of the arbiters, in the pe- nalty of twenty thoufand marks, provided the fen- tence fhould be pronounced by the twentieth of Aft. Pnb. June. While this affair was depending, the duke of Somerfet reprefented to the king, that, as he had been deprived of the government of Calais on a fimple accufation, the particulars of which had never been proved, it was not juft that his adverfary fhould continue poflefTed of his fpoils, before the difference between them mould be determined. The king, upon this remonftrance, diverted the duke of York of this command, though his commiflion had been made out for the term of feven years ; and, on pretence of obferving a perfeft neutrality between the two competitors, declared himfelf go- vernor of Calais. Thedukeof This tranfaftion gave fuch umbrage to York, thTe'.r!SWof that he retired from court, where he had nothing •nd *w? to exPe<^- kut difgrace and oppofition from the queen vick, take an^ Somei fet, whom he refolvf d to attack in a more the field, effectual manner than that of political intrigues. The releafe of his rival from the Tower, fo con- trary to law and the inclinations of the people, was a pretext which he hoped would engage the public in his intereft ^ and this he ufed with all the fuccefs he could have expected. He repaired to Wales, where he levied a body of forces, and in a little time found himfelf at the head of a numerous army, with which he advanced towards the king, who had aflembled his troops, and marched out of London to give him battle. The duke of York was ac- companied by the earls of Salifbury and Warwick. Thefe noblemen fent a letter from Royfton to the king. H E N R Y VI. 3* king, containing ftrong profeffions of zeal and at- A- c- '455' tachment, demanding admiftion to his prefence, that they might vindicate themfelves from the ca- lumnies of their enemies, and inform him of the mifconduc! of his minifters, who they defired might be tried and acquitted, or punifhed according to their innocency or dement. This letter was in- clofed in another to Thomas Bouchier, who had lately fucceeded Kemp in the archbifhopric of Can- terbury ; and this prelate fent it by a particular mef- fenger to the king, but it was intercepted by Somer- fet, and Thomas Thorpe, lately created chancellor of the exchequer. York and his afibciates renewed their requeft, n 11 -i i f i i V-The king 1S when they arrived on the twenty lecond day of defeated at May in the neighbourhood of St. Alban's; but itStl Alban's« was rejected with difdain, and they were threatened with the penalties of high treafon. The earl of Warwick, who commanded the van guard, was fo exafperated at this contemptuous treatment, that, without waiting for the duke's directions, he at- tacked the king's army fo furioufly, that it was foon thrown into confufion, notwithftanding all the efforts of Somerfet. York, advancing in the mean time, charged with equal impetuofity in flank ; fo that they were totally routed with the lofs of five thoufand men. The duke of Somerfet, the earl of Northumberland, the earl of StrafTbrd, eldeft fon of the duke of Buckingham, the lord Clifford, and feveral officers of diftinction, were flain upon the fpot. The duke of Buckingham being wounded, retired from battle in the begin- ning of the engagement ; and his retreat increafed the diforder of the royalifts. The king himfelf, having received an arrow in his neck, was abandon- ed by his army, and retired into a little houfe, where he was immediately inverted. But the duke of York and his confederates were no fooner in- formed HISTORY OP ENGLAND. formeci of his fituation, than they ran thither, and falling on their knees before him, declared that the enemy of the public being now dead, they were entirely devoted to his fervice, and ready to obey his commands. The violence of Henry's fear was in fome meafure allayed by this declaration; and he begged, in the name of God, that they would put an end to the carnage. The duke immediately ordered a retreat to be founded, and proclamation to be made for preventing the further effufion of blood. Then they conducted Henry to St. Alban's, from whence they accompanied him to London. At the'ir deflre WrltS WCre iffUCd for Call'ng a parliament, which met on the ninth day of July, when Henry declared from the throne, that he looked upon York, Salifbury, and Warwick, as his faithful lieges ; and their late conduct was juftified by the authority of both houfes. They decreed, that the nation had been mifgoverned by the queen and the duke of Somerfet, who had abufed the goodnefs and confidence of his majefty •, that the late duke of Gloucefter had been unjuftly accufed ; that all alienations of eftates belonging to the crown, which had been made fmce the firtt year of the king's reign, mould be revoked •, and that the mif- chief occafioned by the battle of St. Alban's fhould be imputed to Somerfet and his adherents, who had concealed from his majefty the letter which would have prevented the engagement. The king was pe- titioned to nominate a protector, becaufe his own indifpofition hindered him from managing the affairs of the public i and this addrefs was feveral times repeated, without their receiving any anfwer from Henry. At length the parliament was prorogued till the twelfth day of November ^ and by that time the king had figned a patent, exprefling that, having been frequently intreated by both houfes to appoint a protector, he had pitched upon the duke of York for HENRY VI. 33 for that important office, until he fhould be dif- A-c- "455' charged of it by parliament, or the young prince of Wales attain to the years of difcretion. This fefilon lafted a month, and then the parliament was proro- gued till the fourteenth day of January. While the duke of York thus enjoyed his triumph, the queen did not behold his fuccefs with idle refignation. The intereft of herielf and family was too deeply concerned to admit of fuch indifference. Henry the new duke of Somerfet, fon of him who fell at St. Alban's, glowed with impatience to revenge the death of his father -, the duke of Buckingham breathed nothing but vengeance for the lofs of his fon, who perifhed on the fame occafion ; and all the princes and noblemen, allied or attached to'the houfe of Lancafter, perceiving the duke of York taking long ftrides towards the throne, refolved to exert all their endeavours to flop his progrefs. Notwithstanding this oppolition, he lived in fuch A. c. 1456. feL-ming fecurity as aftonifhed his enemies. He thought he mould run too great a rifk in pretending openly to the crown, which had remained fix and fifty years in the houfe of Lancafter ; and therefore he waited for fome favourable opportunity to broach his pretenfions. His chief aim was to acquire the favour of the people, without which he forefaw all his efforts would prove ineffectual ; and that they might fee his conduct was not influenced by pafTion or intereft, he left the king and queen at perfect liberty to act as they mould think proper. He did not imagine it was in their power to diveft him of the dignity of protector, which, according to his patent, could not be revoked but by the parliament : but the queen was too active and enterprizing, to be deterred from her purpofe by fuch {lender obflacles. The king having recovered his health, the ene- mies of the duke refolved to feize this opportunity to deprive him of his protector fliip. The parlia- N°. 41, D merit 34 H I S T O R Y o F E N G L A N D, A. c. i4j5. ment reafiembling, Henry appeared in perfon, and declared from the throne, that as he now enjoyed perfect health, and was in a condition to refums the reins of government, he did not think the king- dom had any further occafion for a protector: he therefore defired the parliament would difcharge the duke of York from the tails of that troubieibme office. Whether the two houfes thought the requeft reafonable, or the members had been tutored for the purpofe, they readily complied wiih his defire ; and he fent an order to the duke to abftain from the function of protector. York was not a little con- founded at finding himfelf thus over-reached •, but, making a virtue of neceffity, he and his adherents fubmitted with a good grace to the orders of the king and parliament. But, on pretence of their having no further bufmefs at court, they retired to Yorkfhire, where they lived in the fame neighbour- hood. In a little time after they had withdrawn themfelves an infurrecticn happened in London, oc- cafioned by a quarrel between an Englifh and Ita- lian merchant; and the duke of Buckingham and Exeter, being empowered to try and punim the de- linquents, were prevented by the populace from Thequfen executing their commiflion. The queen fufpecting tedecoy"rS tnat tn's tumult was excited by the partifans of the York and duke of York, and thinking the king's perfon was r'iatM to not fafe in London, conveyed him to Coventry, Coventry. On pretence of his enjoying the benefit of a change of air : though her real defign in taking this route, was that (he might be nearer the difcontented lords, who had retired from the council. She had re- ceived intelligence of their holding feveral fuccef- iive meetings in the North, and (he reiblved to arrefh them, if poflible, in Coventry, where they had fewer friend's than in London. With this view flic cauied the king to write letters with his own hand, inviting them to court, where he had occa- fioa H E N R Y VI. 35 fiort for their advice and affiftance in an affair of the Ai c- '^s6- utmoft confequence. As the duke of York and his aflbciates had taken no ftep towards publifhing his defign upon the crown, but covered all their conduct with the pretext of patriot! fm, they re- folved to comply v/ith the invitation of Henry, who they imagined had at length opened his eyes with refpect to the conduct of the queen and the miniftry, and really defired their afliftance, in or- der to reform the adminiftration. They therefore fet out for Coventry ; but being apprized on the road of the queen's intentions, they fuddenly chang- ed their refolution, and feparated immediately, in order to provide for their own fafety. The duke of York haftened to his eftate of Wigmore, on the borders of Wales j the earl of Salisbury retired to his own hotife in Yorkfhire •, and Warwick took fhipping immediately for Calais, of which place he had continued governor fince the battle of St. Alban's. Though the queen was mortified at her difappointment, me enjoyed the confolation of hav- ing parted three noblemen whole union was very stow-, dangerous to her intereft. The mutual iealoufy and machinations of the I"vaTflon br J . .' . , . . the French two parties were at this period interrupted by other and the confiderations. As the Engliih had formerly taken ScotSt advantage of the divifions in France, to make con- quefts in that kingdom, Charles VII. refolved to follow the fame maxims of policy, and profit by the quarrels that began to divide England. He prepared two fquadrons to attack the kingdom in different parts. One of thefe pillaged the town of Sandwich, and the other made a defcent upon Corn- wal : but, as they were very ill provided with ne- ceffaries, they did not undertake any enterprize of importance, and this was rather an inlult than an invafion ; for their troops reimbarked and returned to their own country, after having plundered a D 2 few 36 HISTORY OF EN GLAND. A.C. 1457. few inconfiderable villages. In all probability the French court had engaged the Scots to co-operate with its meafures againft England, as they invaded the northern counties, notwithstanding the truce fubfifting between the two nations, and carried off" a considerable booty. The truces were fo ill ob- ferved on both fides, that a predatory war was ge- nerally carried on without intermifiion between the borderers •, and the mutual incurfions of private adventurers furniihed continual pretences for in- fringing the truce or accommodation. The Eng- liih authors allcdge that this invafion was headed by king James in perfon, who retired at the ap- proach of the earl of Northumberland •, whereas the Scottiili hiftorians affirm that Piercy, and the earl cf Douglas, at that time a refugee in England, entered Scotland and ravaged the country, until they were encountered and defeated by trie earl of Angus and Sir James Hamilton. Be that as it wirl, the truce between the two kingdoms was renewed, and afterwards prolonged for four years, though Rymer. both kings had been greatly incenled, and written outrageous letters to each other. timbetwrta This difpute being happily terminated, Henry, »d the™ W^° was a m'^> pacific diipofition, and dreaded duke of nothing fp much as the revival of domeftic troubles, York- prefied his queen to liflen to terms of accommoda- tion, to which (lie did not appear averfe ; nor in- deed was it her intereft to prciecute a quarrel with fuch powerful antagonifts, at a juncture when her adminiftration was fo odious to the people. On. the other hand, York and his confederates did not think rheir fcheme ripe for an open revolt againft the citablilheu king, who, though a prince of mean capacity, had, by the innocence of his life, and the piety of his devotion, acquired, if not the ef- teem, at Jeaft the good will of his iubjects. They therefore lent a willing ear to the overtures of peace and H E N R Y VI. 37 and reconciliation, which were made in the king's A- c- HS*- name, by the archbifhop of Canterbury and other prelates ; and both parties agreed to meet at Lon- don in January, that all difputes might be agreeably determined. Not but that the queen and York mutually diftrufted each other", fmcerity ; and up- on the duke's fignifying his fufpi.ion., the king con- fented to his coming with his friends in a pofture of defence. Saliibury arrived at the time and place appointed with a retinue of five hundred men ; York repaired to the congreis with four hundred followers, and took up his quarters at Baynard's caftle, while Salifbury redded at Cold harbour •, on the fourteenth day of February, Warwick landed from Calais with fix hundred men, and chofe the Greyfriars for the place of his refidence ; the reft of the party lodged within the city. Somerfet, Exeter, Northumberland, Egremond, and Clifford, came with numerous retinues, who were quartered in the fuburbs ; and the mayor of London, at the head of five thoufand men, kept guard within the city, and patroled through the ilreets, to maintain the public tranquillity . The conferences were be- gun ; and, after fome difpute, the warmth of which was moderated by the mediating bifliops, the treaty was concluded to their mutual fatisfaction. Some maffes were founded for' the fouls of the people killed at St. Alban's, and a pecuniary fatisfaction made to their heirs : both parties lolemnly pro- mifed to lay afide their animofity, and live toge- ther in perfect friendihip for the future ; and the duke of York with his aiTociates were readmitted into the council. The fifth day qf April was ap- pointed for a thankfgiving, and a folemn procefilon to St. Paul's church. The king, queen, and all the noblemen a/lifted on this occafion : thofe df dif- ferent parties walked hand in hand, in token of amity, and the duke of York handed the queen, D 3 who 3S HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A. c. i45g. Wh0 af&cted to treat him with public marks of id. ibid, efleem and confidence. Another Ncverthelefs, there was little fmcerity on either rupture. f]de The duke of York and his friends ftill dread- ed fome deceit or perfidy on the part of Margaret, who had formerly endeavoured to entrap them ; and they quilted the court on various pretences. The duke and the earl of Salifbury repaired to York, and the earl of Warwick returned to his government of Calais. In his pafiage he fell in with fome mips belonging to Genoa and Lubec, and a quarrel enfuing, in confequence of their re- fufing to pay proper deference to the Englifh flag, he funk fome of the number, and carried the reft into Calais. The republic complained to the king of this outrage •, his majefty appointed commif- fioners to enquire into the particulars, and Warwick was obliged to come over and juftify his conduct. During his ftay at London on this account, he oc- cafionally affifted at council; and a domeftic be- longing to his train happening to quarrel one day with a fervant of the king, who was wounded in the fray, all the retainers at court took to their arms, to revenge the infult offered to their companion. The delinquent having made his efcape, they at- tacked the earl himfelf" as he came from council ; fo that it was not without' the greateft difficulty that he reached his boat, which waited for him on the fide of the river, and which conveyed him to the city, after he had feen fome of his followers killed in his de- fence. He forthwith conjectured that the queen had contrived this fcheme for his deftruction -, and this conjecture was confirmed that fame day, when he underftood that the king had granted a warrant jo commit him prifoner to the Tower. He received this intelligence time enough to elude the order; and retired to his father the earl of Salifbury, to confult About meafures to be taken againft the queen, upon 5 whole HENRY VI. 39 whofe promifes, oaths, and engagemens, they would A> c- '*5S- place no dependence. The father and fon agreed in opinion, that this laft attack was a fnare laid by Margaret for the life of Warwick •, and that as this nobieman was the idol of the foldiery, they fhould make it a pretence for delaring open war againft the queen and her adherents. In thefe fentimenrs they vifited the duke of York, who adopted their ideas on this fubjedt •, and they concerted their meafures accordingly. Warwick returned immediately to Calais, in order to fecure that fortrefs, and York be- gan to levy forces in Wales, while Salifbury af- iembled five or fix thoufand men, with which he intended to advance to London, and demand fa- tisfaclion for the outrage committed againft his fon Warwick. Mean while Margaret fet out with the king; on „,, r • i • f ITT • i o «£. i Jherovaljfts a progrefs into the counties of Warwick, Stafford, underthe and Chefter, in order to conciliate the affection of the people •> and, by means of her artful behaviour b'the e and affumed affability, formed a ftrong aflbciation °J> in behalf of herielf and her fon Edward. Under- heath. flanding that the earl of Salisbury had raifed a body of forces, and was on his march to join the duke of York in Herefordfhire, (he granted a commifilon to the Lord Audley to affemble troops, and prevent the junction of thefe nobleman. He accordingly levied A. c. 1459. ten thoufand men, with whom he advanced againft Salifbury, who had proceeded as far as Bloreheath on the borders of Sraffordmire and Shropshire. Here the two armies came in fight of each other; and the earl, though his forces were not above half the number of the enemy, refolved to give them battle. They were parted by a rivulet •> and on the twenty-third day of September, Salisbury made a feint of retreating, as if he had been afraid of an attack. Audley, on this luppofition, paffed the rivulet with great precipitation, in order to purfue 04 the 40 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A. c. 1459. tne fugitives ; and when part of his troops had eroded the brook, the earl, wheeling about all of a fudden, fell upon them with fuch impetuofity, be- fore they could form, that, after an obftinate en- gagement, which lafted five hours, the royalifts Fat>;.n. were utterly defeated, with the lofs of their general stowT.' and four and twenty hundred men, flain upon the Grafton; field of battle. The mai- Salifbury, having thus opened his pafTage, march - iTds'are ed into Wales, where he joined the duke of York, abandoned wno was employed in raifing an army for the pro- a:my.Clr fccution of his dcfign. The queen, in order to repair the damage (he had fuftained at Bloreheath, and oppofe the progrefs of rhe malcontents, with whofe motions fhe was perfectly well acquainted, exerted her endeavours with incredible activity, in aflembling forces, and appointed the rendezvous at Coventry : while her enemies wrote to Warwick, defiring he would join them with fome troops from Calais. On the receipt of his father's letter, he left that fortrefs under the command of his uncle the lord Falconbndge, and brought over part of the garritbn, commanded by Sir Andrew Trollop, an officer of great reputation. The king's army being affembled, he began his march from Coventry to- wards Ludlosv, where the rebels were encamped : and, halting at Gloucefter, offered a pardon to the infurgents, provided they would lay down their arms. To this offer they replied, That they would not confide in fuch promifes, which were no other than fnares laid for their deftruction ; but that they were ready to fubmit to the king, provided he could find any fecurity for the performance of his promile. Henry, having received this aniwer, fuperfeded the earl of Warwick in the government of Calais, which he bellowed upon the duke of Somerfet, and ad- vanced to give battle to the malcontents. They wrote a letter to him, declaring that their fole view in HENRY VI. 41 in taking up arms, was to defend themfelves agaiaft A- c- '45»». the attempts of their enemies •, that they had no intention to fighfc, unlefs forced to an engagement -, that all they required was a reformation of the abufes which had crept into the government, through the mifconducl of the miniftry ;. and they befought his majefty to look upon them as his faithful fubjects, who had no defign to the preju- dice of his perfon, and wiihed for nothing fo much as to ba reinilated in his favour. The queen, im- puting all -this fub million to fear, approached with- in half a mile of them in the evening, refolved to give battle next day, and in the mean time difperfed through the enemy's camp a proclamation, promi- fing pardon to all thoie who mould lay down their arms and fubmit. This expedient produced a fur- prifing effect : the troops of the duke of York, fup- pofing, from the king's making fuch an offer, that he had a great fuperiority of ftrcngth, and that there was no time to be loft, began to diiperie inflantane- oufly. Sir Andrew Trollop, who now for the firit time perceived that the duke of York had a defign upon the crown, deierted in the night, with the de- tachment he commanded ; and his example was followed by fuch a number, that the lords, fearing they mould be wholly abandoned, before day-break confulted their fafety in flight. The duke of York, with his fecond fon the earl of Rutland, retired to Wales, where they embarked for Ireland; and the earl of Warwick haftened over to Calais, whither he was foon followed by his father Salisbury, and York's eldeft fon, the earl of March, at that time in the nineteenth year of his age. The officers and foldiers, who remained after the retreat of their chiefs, fubmitted to the mercy of the king, who difmiiled them in peace, after having caufed fome of them to be put to death for example. The parliament, affembling in the month of De- cember, declared the duke of York and his adhe- rents 42 HISTORY o /ENGLAND. A.C. 1459. rents guilty of high treafon ; their eftates were con- f fifcated, and they and their defendants rendered txploits or • . . , the eari of incapable of fucceedmg to any inheritance, even to the fourth generation. As foon as the feffion broke up, the duke of Somerfet embarked with a body of troops, in order to take pofiefiion of Calais ; but he met with fuch a reception as obliged him to land in another place, from which he marched to Guiihes, and there he fent out detachments to fkirmifh with the garrifon of Calais, by whom his men were gene- rally repulfed to their quarters. Warwick was fo beloved by the nation in general, that when Somer- fet landed with his troops, the failors fleered their Ihips direclly into the harbour of Calais. The queen being determined to wreft the government of this fortrefs from the hands of her enemies, equipped a fleet for the affiftance of Somerfer, and ordered a confiderable body of troops to be put on board, under the command of the lord Rivers, and his Ion Sir Anthony Wideville. While the fleet lay in the harbour of Sandwich, waicing for a fair wind, the carl of \Varwick, having received intelligence of their deftination, manned the fhips which had lately deferted to him, and embarking fome troops, with Sir John Denham, they failed to Sandwich, where they furprifed Rivers and all his officers, who were conveyed to Calais, together with their (hips ; the failors thenifelves favouring the enterprize. War- wick, being thus reinforced with fhipping, failed for Ireland, in order to confult the duke of York about the meafures to be taken for another infurreetion in England, \vhere the people efpoufed their caufe, and their friends expecbd them wich impatience. The duke agreed with him in opinion that the lords at Calais fhould make a defcent among their adhe- rents and well wifhers in the county of Kent, and proceed diredtly to the capital, which they did not doubt would receive them with open arms. The earl HENRY VI. 43 earl of Warwick, in his return to Calais, fell inA.c. J46o. with the Englifli fleet, commanded by the duke of Exeter, who had lately fuperfeded him in the pofl of admiral, and been lent out to intercept him in his paflage: but thefailors and foldiers on board of the duke's fquadron refufing to fight againft their old commander, he, in order to prevent a total revolt, failed into Dartmouth, where the greater part of his men defer ted for want of pay and provifion. The queen and the miniftry did not doubt but The earl of the interview between the duke of York and the Jfj^J*"1* earl of Warwick wc?uld produce a new rebellion, and War- which in order to weaken by anticipation, the ^i^"*' council refolved to let on foot an exaft inquifition triumph. in all the towns and counties of the kingdom, for the difcovery and punifhment of all the partifans of the malcontents ; the earl of Wiltfliire and the lord Scales were vefted with a commifiion to make this inquiry, and punifli all thofe who had carried arms for York and his adherents in the late rebellion ; and they began to execute their powers with great feverity infome towns that openly favoured the lords of the oppofition. Of all the counties in England Kent had the greateft caufe to dread the refentment of the court, for it had always ex prefled a particu- lar attachment to the duke of York ; and the con- duel of the inhabitants under Cade was not for- gotten : believing therefore that their ruin was in- evitable, if not prevented by fome vigorous relolu- tion, they lent an intimation to the lords at Calais, alluring them, that if they would land in Kent, the inhabitants would receive them with open arms, and hazard their lives and fortunes in their fervice. Sir Simon Montfort had b^en detached by Mar- garet with a body of frefh forces to guard Sand- wich and other harbours that lay nearelt the enemy ; and Ihips had been equipped for convoying the duke of Somerfet to England, where his pretence was 4+ H I S T O R Y o F E N G L AN EX. A.C ,46o. was thought neceflary by the council. But War- v.-ick furprifed this armament, pillaged the town of Sandwich, took Montfort, and carried the fhips to Calais. It v/as during this fhort expedition, that he became acquainted xvith the ilate of affairs in England -, the knowledge of which, together with the invitation of the Kentim men, determined him and his aflbciatcs to land without delay. -Nothing was wanting but afum of money to purchafe nccef- faries ; and the earl of Warwick borrov/ed on his own credit eighteen thoufand pounds from the merchants of the ftaple. Thus fupplied, he began to make preparations, and in the mean time fent over his uncle, the lord Fa] con bridge, to Kent ; where he was joined by a great number of people belonging to that and the adjacent counties. He was loon followed by Warwick himfelf, with the earls of March and Salifbury, who landed at Sand- wich, where they were met by Thomas Bourchier, archbifhop of Canterbury, the lord Cobham, and other perfons of diftin&ion. Before they fet fail from Calais, they had difperfed a manifefto in Eng- land, afluring the nation, that their fole motive for raking arms, was to deliver the people from the oppreffion under which they groaned, and to fecure their liberties and privileges -, towards the re-efta- blifliment of which they follicited the afliftance of all true-hearted Englifhmen. They had informed the duke of York of their intended operations, and Lhe day on which they let fail for England. They brought over about fifteen hundred men, who being reinforced by four thoufand, under the lord Cob- ham, they began their march towards London j and fuch numbers joined them in their route, j^VP,rr. that they entered the city in triumph v/ith an army $to\ve. offoity thoufand men devoted to their fervice. Mean while the queen was not idle at Coventry : Hie had endeavoured to prevent their being received m HENRY VI. 4 in London, by fending thither the lord Scales with A. c. ^.- a ftrong body of forces ; but he was refufed admit- J^g£J tance by the mayor even before the, arrival of the »t Nor- malcontrnts, and threw himfelf into the Tower, thaniFtcn- from whence he threatened to cannonade the city, fhould the magiftrates admit the rebels : to thefe menaces however, they paid no regard/ Margaret ftill continued to afiemble her forces, until her army being completed, fhe beftowed the joint command of it upon the dukes of Somerfet and Buckingham, though me herfelf was in effect the general, and iffued out all the orders in the name of Henry, who was there in perfon. As foon as the young earl of March underftood that me was advancing towards London, he left the earl of Salifbury with good part of his troops in that capital, and marched out with the earl of Warwick, at the head of five and twenty thoufand men, to attack her before her army ihould be increafed. The two parties met in the neighbourhood of Northampton ; after the queen, had paffed a river by which they were divided. Be- fore they proceeded to battle, the affociated lords fent the bifhop of Salifbury to the king, with a meffage, intreating his majefty would fufpend his indignation, and join with them in fome falutary meafures to prevent the effufion of Englifh blood. This addrefs was looked upon as a mere ceremony to fave appearances ; and being rejected as fuch, both fides prepared for an engagement. On the nineteenth day of July the malcontents drew up their army in order of battle : the earl of Warwick commanded the right wing ; the lord Cobham con- ducted the left ; and the earl of March took his ftation in the center. The royal army was com- manded by the dukes of Somerfet and Bucking- ham ; the queen remained at a little diftance, from whence fhe could obfcrve the particulars of the ac- tion, and give her directions according to the emer- 2 gency 46 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A.C. 1460. gency of the occafion ; and Henry flayed in his tent$ waiting the event of a battle on which the fate of his crown depended. The Ycrkifts, having pub- limed orders through their army to refpect the king's perfon, and fpare the common foldiers, but to give no quarter to the officers, proceeded to the attack about two o'clock in the afternoon; and the action beginning with equal fury on both fides, continued till feven in the evening ; when the lord Grey of Ruthwin, who commanded a confiderable part of Henry's army, fuddenly revolted to the rebels. This unexpected defection threw the reft of the king's forces into fuchconfternation, that they forthwith be- gan to give ground, and were routed with great flaugh - ter. The duke of Buckingham, the earl of Shrewf- bury, fon to the famous Taibot, the lord Beaumont, and many other perfons of diftinction, were killed upon the fpot. The queen, the prince of Wales, and the duke of Somerfet, fled with fuch precipi- tation, that they did not halt until they had reached Durham. Henry fell into the hands of the victors, who treated him with all the exterior refpect due to their fovereign ; and this deference, in fome mea- fure, confoled him for the mifchance of the day, which would have rendered him a very great object of compaffion, had not his natural indolence and want of fenfibility fortified him againft all thevicif- fitudesof fortune. He was immediately conducted to Northampton, with all the marks of honour and regard -, and, after a fhort ftay in that place, repaired to London, furrounded by a croud of noblemen and Rvmfr others, who had fo lately appeared againft him in Stowe.' the field of battle. Mean time the queen, who did not think herfelf fafe at Dm ham, retired privately to Wales, in order to elude the fearch of her ene- mies •, but me foon quitted that retreat, and with her fon took refuge in Scotland. Immediately after the king's arrival in London, the lower furrendered for HENRY VI. 47 for want of provifions *, and the lord Scales, who A- c- J4*°* acted as governor, attempting to go by water in difguife to the fancluary at WeMminfter, was dif- covered and afiafiinated by the watermen. A com- miflion was granted to the earl of Salisbury, im- powering him to march with an army to the relief of Roxburgh caftle, befieged by James II. of Scot- land, who infringed thetruce that he might take ad- vantage of the inteftine troubles of England. The garrifon was already reduced to extremity, when that prince happened to lofe his life by a cannon's burfting in the explofion ; neverihelefs, the queen continued the fiege, and the place was obliged to capitulate. The earl of Warwick was confirmed in the government of Calais and Guifnes, by virtue of a new commifTion •, and the duke of York and his adherents were declared good and faithful fub- jects. At this period died Charles VII. king of France, who is faid to have ftarved himfelf to death from apprehenfion of being poifoned by the dauphin, Couc who fucceeded him under the name of Lewis XI. Mezenu. The parliament meeting at Weftminfter on the The duke of feventh day of October, according to the writs Yorkciaims which had been ifTued before the battle of Nor- payment? thampton, the king affifted in per (on -t and, the firft bufmefs on which they proceeded was a repeal of the tranfadtions in the laft parliament held at Coven- try, on pretence of its having been unduly fum- moned, and condituted of unqualified peribns, who aimed at the deftruction of the realm. The duke . of York having been apprifed of his fon's fucceis, returned immediately from Ireland ; and, arriving at London on the third day of the feffion, went diredly to the houfe of lords, who were then fitting. He flood for fome time under the canopy, with his hand upon the throne, waiting until he mould be defired toafcend : but, the whole aflembly main- tained a profound filence -, and, the archbifhop of Canterbury 48 HISTORY OF ENGLAND, A. c. 1460, Canterbury advancing to him, afked, if he had waited upon the king fmce his .arrival ? He could not help blufhing at this queftion -, and, after fome pauie, replied, that he did not kno\v any perfon to whom he owed that refpeft. So faying, he re- tired to his own houfe ; and next day fent a writing to the parliament, containing the reafons upon which his pretenfions to the crown were founded. He pretended to mount the throne as heir to the houfe of March ; defired, that he might be heard by his counfel ; and, that the parliament v/ould do him juftice. It was not without fome difficulty that the lords allowed his claim to bs read in the houfe ; but, they refolved to proceed no farther, without ^ communicating the affair to his majefty. When Henry was informed of their refolution, he defired, that the claim might be confidered by his judges, ferjeants, and attorney. Thefe being fummoned, declined giving their opinions in a matter fo far above their cognizance. Then the lords, after an- other debate, ordered the ferjeants and attorney to come and defend the king's title : it was likewife relblved, that there mould be an intire freedom of debate •, and that no lord fhould be called in quef- tion for what he fhould fay in fupport of his own opinion. *egaefj*4 We have already mentioned the pedigree of and agiind Richard duke of York, as defcended from Lionel YorStl duke °* Clarence, elder brother cf John of Gaunt, the founder of the houfe of Lancafter ; and, we mall now take notice of the objections that were made to Richard's claim. Henry's friends obferved, that when his grandfather Henry IV. took poffef- fion of the throne, no perfon pretended to difpute his title. The Yorkifts replied, that as Edmund earl of March, v/ho was then alive, could not af- ll-rt his title without running the rifque of his life, his filence could not be interpreted into acquiefcence in H E N R Y VI. 49 in the right of the ufurper. When Henry*s fa- A-c- H6*. vourers alledged, that his grandfather had received the crown by the authority of parliament, the fa- vourers of the duke of York anfwered, that he did not pretend to claim it without the fanction of the laid authority, as plainly appeared from his memo- rial prefented to both houfes ; but, as the parlia- ment had formerly ftrong reafons to fet afide the true heir in favour of the houfe of Lancafter, ib now they had powerful motives for doing juilice to the duke of York. The refignation of Richard II. was advanced in behalf of the houfe of Lancafter ; and, the other fide denied that Richard's refignation regarded that houfe in particular, or even the perfon of Henry IV. but, even allowing this to have been the cafe, a king who was actually in confinement, and on the point of being depofed, had no power to eftablilh a fucceffor. It was objected to the duke of York, that his father, the earl of Cambridge, had btren executed for high-treafon, and his pofterity declared incapable of all inheritance : but, this ob • jection was obviated by thofe who obferved, that the duke of York had been reflored to the honoups, and ail the rights of fucceffion by the king him- felf ; and acknowledged as duke of York and earl of March by Henry, as well as the whole king- dom. Then the friends of the king obferved, that the crown had been above fixty years in pofTeffion of the houfe of Lancalter. To this obfervation the others replied, that natural rights were indefta- fible, and that no pofitive law could bring them into prefcription. The laft argument advanced in favour of Henry imported, that having already reigned thirty years, and led an innocent and inof- fenfive life, it would be cruel to deprive him of the crown. To invalidate this argument, the Ycrkifts obferved, that as Henry was incapable of governing by himfelf, fuch indulgence would only operate in NUMB. XLII. E favour 50 HISTORY OP ENGLAND. A. c. 1460. favour of the queen and her minifters, who abufed his name and authority : that, out of tendernefs to him, they ought not to prejudice the whole king- dom, nor commit a flagrant piece of injuftice from a motive of chanty. The differ- Such were the principal reafons advanced on both twMr^Hen- fides of this very remarkable difpute, which was ry and the maintained with great fpirit and capacity for fome York°is days fucceflively, until they agreed to a fort of mo- compro- difkation, which they hoped would prevent all thofe mifed, _ , . r J r , . ,r mifchievous conlf quences that might have attended a total revolution. They unanimoufly refolved, that Henry mould enjoy the crown for his natural life i and the duke of York be declared his fuc- Stowf ceflbr. This refolution was figmfied to the king by ©rafton. the chancellor, and afterwards reduced to an ad: of Fabian. parliament to the following effed : That, although the duke of York had an inconteftible right to the throne, he confented to Henry's enjoying it for life, and even to take the oath to him as to his lawful fovereign -, but, in cafe Henry mould in any fhape violate this agreement, the crown mould from that moment devolve to the duke of York, or his law- ful heirs. After this act was paffed, the king, with the crown upon his head, went in proceffion to St. Paul's, accompanied by the duke of York, in token of reconciliation ; and, indeed, he feemed to be quite eafy under this revolution of his affairs. Without fecming afteded by the misfortunes of his family, he lived in tranquillity, employing himfelf wholly in the exercifes of devotion •, and leaving the adminftration to thofe who managed under the fandion of his name and authority. The duke of York finding himfelf abiblutely mafrer of Henry's perfon, obliged him to fign an order for the queen to repair to London ; well knowing, that (he would not obey the injunction : but, his defign was to render her criminal in the eyes of tht; world, from i her HENRY VI. 5* her refufal to comply with the command of her A-c-'-.6o« lord and hufband ; which would in Tome meafure authorife the meafures he intended to take againft that princels. He thought her abfolutely without refource, and perfuaded himfeif, that nothing was wanting bur a pretext for raifing invincible obfta- cles to her return, that he might be altogether de- - iivered from fuch an aftive enemy. But, he was miftaken in his conjecture. Margaret, far from being difpirited by the mif- The duke is fortunes of her hufband, had already returned to STEhS England with her fon the prince of Wales •, and raifed the battlc of r . , "f • Wakefield. an army of eighteen tnouland men in the northern counties. In order to engage the people of that country in her intereft, fhe found means to diffufe a report among them, that they fliould be allowed to pillage ail England to the fouthward of the Trent; and, in all probability, herfuccefs in levying forces was owing to this expedient. The duke of York being informed of herdefigns, refolved to arreft her in the middle of her career ; and for that purpofe fet out from London with four or five thoufand men, leaving an order with his fon the earl of March, to conduft the reft of the army into quarters of re- irefhment in Wales ; and afterwards join him in the northern counties. As the duke advanced towards the North, he was not a little alarmed by the news of the queen's fuccefs in levying forces, with which he had not been acquainted before he left London ; and, when he arrived in the neigh bjurhood of Wakeneld in Yorkfhire, ha received intelligence, that me was in full march againft him, at the head of eighteen thoufand men. He forthwith threw himieif into hLs own caftle of Sandal, by the ad- vice of the earl of Salisbury, who obierved, thac as the queen had no artillery, he could not be forced in that place, until he mould be joined by his fon Edward, Margaret neglected no artifice which me E 2 thought HISTORY OF ENGLAND. thought could induce him to quit this retreat before his Ton's arrival. She affected to continue her route towards the South •, then fhe placed the greater part of her forces behind an eminence ; and with the reft approaching the caftle of Sandal, provoked him to battle by the mod infulting meffages. Whether the duke was ftimulated by her reproaches, or found himfelf obliged to make a defperate effort, for want of provifion ; or laftly, was deceived in the number of the enemy ; certain it is, he drew out his men, and reiblved to hazard a battle. The action was begun by York, who charged the queen's troops with great impetuofky : but, her numbers over- balanced his courage ; and, thofe troops who had been pofted in ambufh behind the hill, falling fud- denly upon his rear, the Yorkifts v/ere immediately routed : the duke himfelf was flain fighting valiantly on foot ; Sir Thomas Harrington, Sir David Hall, Sir Hugh Haftings, Sir Thomas Nevil, third fon of the earl of Salifbury, Sir John and Sir Hugh Mortimer, with many other gentlemen, and about two thoufand eight hundred foldiers, met with the fame fate. The duke's fon Edmund Plantagenet, earl of Rutland, was after the battle inhumanly killed in cold blood, upon Wakefield bridge, by the lord Clifford: the earl of Salifbury being wounded and taken prifoner, was fent to Pomfret, where he fuffered decapitation, and his head was fixed on the walls of York, as well as the duke's, upon which Clifford fet a crown of paper, in deri- fion of his title. Thus fell Richard, duke of York, a prince poilefled of many great and amiable quali- ties, and blameworthy alone, for having involved his country in the miferies of civil war, with a view- to aflert a difputed claim, fuch as had often been difregarded in the fuccefiion of the Englifh kings, both before and after the conqucft ; a claim, which, in all probability, would have lain dormant, had not HENRY VI. 53 not the imbecility of Henry, and the arbitrary *• c- *4^o. meafures and unpopular deportment of his queen, awaked and invired it from the (hade of obli- vion. The battle of Wakeficld, which was fought on A-c- '^6t- the thirtieth day of December, inftead of re efta- £Jf^[^ blifhing the affairs of Margaret, and the prince of detachment Wales, ferved only to haften their ruin. The eari °^gar_ of March, far from being difpirired by the defeat my, defeated and death of his father, was inflamed with the moft beyj*/™n& eager defire of revenge ; and refolved to hazard his March, at life and fortune in fupport of his pretenfions. He JJfillTifi now found himfelf in Wales, at the head of three refonHhire. and twenty thoufand men, befides thcfe who had been left under the command of Warwick for the defence of the capital ; and, with thefe he deter- mined to go in queft of Margaret, on whom he longed to- revenge the misfortunes of his family. That princefs had begun her march for London ; and hearing of young Edward's defign, detached Gafper Tudor, earl of Pembroke, and Jamas But- ler earl of Ormond, with a body of Englifh and - Irilh troops, to oppofe his progrefs. March, being informed of the queen's motions, had altered his firft refolution of giving her battle, and changed his route, in hope of reaching London before her arrival : but, when he underftood that Tudor had been detached againft him, rather than run the rifque of being hemmed in between two hoftile ar- mies, he marched directly into Herefbrdflhire, in order to give him battle. The two armies met near Mortimer's crofs, on Candlemas eve ; and Edward being greatly fuperior in number to the Lancaf- trians, thefe laft v/ere foon defeated, with the lofs of three thoufand and eight hundred men killed on the field of action. The earls of Pembroke and Ormond efcaped ; but, Owen Tudor, huiband of Catherine of France, and ftep-father to king Henry, E 3 was 5^ HIS TORY OF ENGLAND. A. G. 1461. was taken, and with nine other officers beheaded at S±" Hereford. is Mean while the queen, with her fon, attended by ^ dukes °f Somerfet and Exeter, the eails of Nor- thumberland, Devonfhire, and Shrewfbury, the lords Fitzhugh, Grey of Codemore, Roos, Greyftock, Willes, and Willoughby, continued her march to- wards London, in full hope, that whenever her victorious army fliould appear, the citizens would expel the earl of Warwick, and receive her in tri- umph. Warwick himfelf feemed to dread fome fuch event -, for, rather than keep himfelf fecure within the walls of London, ha marched out with an handful to hazard an engagement : a ftep which he certainly would not have taken, had he been fe- cure in the affection of the 'citizens. Margaret had advanced as far as St. Alban's, when me received intelligence, that Warwick was on his march to- wards iliat place, with the king in his army, which was rein, or ed by a body of Londoners. Thefe had joined him, in order to prevent the mifchiefs they apprehended from the queen's troops, who were northern free-booters, accuftomed to rapine, and nad ravaged the whole country in their paffage. On Shrove -Tuei'day the oppofite armies came in fignc of each other, and engaged on Barnard's-Heath near St. Alban's ; where for iome time the fortune of Warwirk ftemed to prevail, until the lord Love- lace, who commanded one of his wings, wheeled off, leaving the mam body expofed : and then vic- tory declared fcr Margaret. The earl en this oc- caf-on loft twothoufand men, who were killed either in the action or in the purfuit ; though he rallied his broken troops, and made an excellent retreat. The lord Bonvij, and Sir Thomas Kyreil, to whofe care he had commitred the perfon of Henry, were perfuaded to (lay with that prince, on his affu ranee, thai they Ihould receive no injury -, but, he hacj not H E N R Y VI. not intereft enough to fave their lives : Margaret A c- ordered them to be beheaded at St. Alban's on Afh-Wednefday. The chief advantage which Mar- garet reaped from the victory, was the releafe of her hufband, whofe name ferved to authorife her tranf- actions : but, me feems to have been very much wanting to her own intereft, in neglecting to march directly to the capital, while the news of her vic- tory operated fo ftrongly on the minds of the inha- bitants, that they would have opened their gates at her approach. The citizens, indeed, were afraid of being plundered by her forces, who had already pillaged the town of St. Alban's : but, they were flill more afraid of incurring the refentment of a victorious army, which they did not think them- felves in a condition to oppofe. The ravages of her troops having occafioned a fcarcity of provifion in her camp, me demanded a fupply from the mayor of London, who did not think proper to refufe her in fuch a conjuncture. He ordered feveral waggons to be loaded with all forts of lenten provifion ; bur, they were flopped at Newgate by the populace, who were incenfed at the licentious behaviour of her troops ; and declared, that no neceffaries mould be furnifhed by the city, for the ufe of an army that did not come to defend, but to pillage cheir effects. The queen fent a body of forces, commanded by Sir Baldwin Fulford, and Sir Alexander Hody, to make an effort towards gaining admittance to the city, and they attempted to force Cripplegate ; but were repulfed. Margaret denounced vengeance againft the Londoners for this infult ; though fhe never had an opportunity to execute the fcheme of her refentment; for receiving intelligence that the earls of March and Warwick had joined their forces at Chipin^-Norton in Oxfordlhire, and begun their progrefs for London, fhe retired to the North, where me hoped to increafe her army to fuch a for- E midablc 56 HISTORYopENGLAND. A. c. 1461, rnidable number, as would infure fuccefs againft all Grafton. OppofitlOn. Edward earl The ear) of March arriving at London in the beginning of March, entered the city in triumph, amidft the acclamations of the people, by whcm ^ ^r^ ^Q^^ for hjs affability and perfonal ac- complifhments, in which he excelled all the princes of his age. His friends, trufting to this popularity, reiblved to fave him the trouble and uncertainty of a parliamentary dccifion, and raife him at once to the throne by the confent of the people, and the grandees. With this view, the earl of Warwick drew up his army in order of batdfc, in the fields near Clerkenwell, on pretence of exercifing the foldiers : an immenfe multitude of people being af- fembled to indulge their curiofity, the earl rode into the midft of this concourfe, and read aloud the convention made between Henry and the duke of York, and confirmed by aft of parliament. Then he gave them to underftand, that as the king had notorioufly violated this agreement, he had mdif- putably forfeited his right , to the crown, which now belonged to Edward Plantagenet, the fole and true heir or the houfe of Mortimer. He thus pre- pared the people for his purpofe, by an aflfcrtion which was abfolutely falfe ; inafmuch as Henry had been his own prifoner from the time of the agree- ment till the battle of Earner., after which he was compelled to aft according to the views of Mar- garet. Then he raifed his voice, and afked, if they would have Henry of Lancafter for their king ? The whole multitude anfwered, No, No : but when he demanded, if they would acknowledge Edward for their fovereign ? they replied in the affirmative with loud acclamations. The confent of the people be- ing thus obtained, the Yorkifts convoked a great council of all the lords fpiritual and temporal, ma- giftrates, and gentlemen, who happened to be in * London j HENRY VI. 57 London ; and Edward having explained his right A< c* 146l« to the crown, both by birth, and the agreement between Henry and his father, defired it might be adjudged to him by the determination of this af- fembly. He muft have had more courage than dif- cretion, who would have attempted to impugn his pretenfions at fuch a juncture •, therefore, the council unanimoufly declared, that Henry of Lancafter had forfeited all right to the crown, in violating the folemn agreement made with the late duke of York, which was confirmed by parliament ; and that it now devolved to the duke's eldeft fon, Edward Plantagenetearl of March. After this declaration, the crown was offered to the earl, who received it with a modeft acknowledgment of his own infuf- ficiency j adding, that though his youth and inex- perience rendered him fearful of loading himfelf with fuch a heavy burthen, he would do his utmoft endeavours, with God's amftance, to make his peo- ple rich and happy. Next day he repaired to St. Caul's church, where he fat in the roya! chair, with the fceptre of St. Edward in his hand. The arch- bifhop of Canterbury demanding aloud, if the peo- ple would own Edward, earl of March, as their king, they replied as before, with acclamations of joy ; and then the king received the homage of the nobility. This ceremony being concluded with a folemn Te Deum, Edward was conducted to the bifhop's palace, in which the kings ufed to refide ; and on the fifth day of March, he was proclaimed by the name of Edward IV. in the city of London, and the neighbourhood. EDWARD EDWARD IV. A.C ,46«. ry^ H £ faft arv of fovereignty that diftinguifhed E*w»d be- J^ ^ rt^n of gdward, is faid to have been the «n*rch for execution of one Walker, a citizen and grocer, ,ihe North. w^o jocofe]y faid £O his neighbours that he would make his fon heir to the crown, meaning the fign of the crown that hung over his door : this inno- eent jeft was conftrued into high treafon, and the unhappy man fuffered death ; though, in all proba- bility, his chief crime was his adherence to the houfe of Lancafter, which Edward refolved to punifh with the utmoft rigour. He had not enjoyed his new dignity above eight days, when he found himfelf obliged to begin his march againft Mar- garet, who had fucceeded fo well in recruiting her army among her northern friends, that by this time Ihe found herfelf at the head of fixty thoufand men, ready to facrifice their lives for her fervice. Edward did not fo much depend upon his election, which had been extremely irregular and defective, as upon the ftrength of his faction, and the fuccefs of his arms. Replete with all the fire of youth, courage, and ambition, he confided in his valour and for- tune, againft all odds of oppofition -, and, putting himfelf at the head of his forces, fet out for the North, in hope of ftriking a decifive ftroke againft the queen and her adherents. !v»cr,cstbc On his arrival at Pontefract, he detached the |£jt£"*' lord Fitzwalter to feize the pafs of Ferrybridge,' on feizethepafs the river Aire ; and this fervice he performed with- £4"7~ out oppofition. Henry and his queen hearing of where* he is Edward's approach, beftowed the command of «TflSL their armX on the duke of Somerfet, while they themfelves remained at York, waiting the iffue of an JTT. E D W A R D IV. an engagement, by which their fate was likely A. to be decided for ever. Somerfet being informed that Fitzvvaker had feized the pafs of Ferrybridge, concluded that Edward's defign was to give him battle ; and that he might attack him with Jefs ad- vantage, he refolved to repel the troops of Fitz- walter to the other fide of the river. For this pur- pofe he fent a detachment under lord Clifford, who iiirprifed the Yorkifts, and drove them from the pafs with great Daughter, after an obftinate action, in which Fitzwalter and the Baftard of Salisbury loft their lives. The earl of Warwick was extreme- ly alarmed at the news of this difafter, which he no fooner received than he rode full fpeed to Ed- ward, and communicated the tidings with marks of uncommon emotion •, but, to convince his fove- reign that his confufion did not proceed from any fear of his own perfonal danger, he killed his horfe on the fpot, and killing the hilt of his fword, which was made in the form of a crofs, fwore that even if the whole army mould forfake the king, he would remain alone, and fpend the laft drop of his blood in defence of his majefty. Edward, far from bring difpirited by this check, which feemed to dif- order Warwick fo much, ordered proclamation to be made in his army, that all perfons who were afraid of ftaying mould have free leave to retire : That he would reward thofe who mould do their duty ; bu: that he would mew no mercy to any peribn who mould fly from the battle. Then he ordered lord Falconbridge to pafs the A ire at Caftle- ford, about a league above Ferrybridge, and retake the poft which the enemy had won. This order was executed with fuch diligence and fecrecy, that the detachment had crofTed the river before the Lancaftrians had the leaft intimation of their de- fign i then attacking Clifford by furprize, that nobleman 6o HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A.C. 1461. nobleman and the brother of the earl of Weftmore- land were (lain, and their forces intirely routed. The queen The pafs of Ferrybridge being thus regained, wiTjlt Edward croflfed the river, and, early in the morning flaughtcr at of Palm-fa nd ay, advanced towards the Lancaf- Towton. trianS) who, to the number of fixty thoufand, occu- pied the fields between Towton and Saxton. Tho* the Yorkifts did not exceed nine and forty thoufand, they were chofen men, and Edward did not enter- tain the leaft doubt of viftory ; but, before the battle joined, he publifhed an order through his army, that his foldiers mould not encumber them- felves with prifoners. About nine in the morning it began to mow, and a (harp wind drove the fleet; full in the faces of the Lancaftrians, difordering their fight in fuch a manner, that they could not judge the diftance between themfelves and the ene- my. The lord Falconbridge, who commanded the van of Edward's army, taking advantage of this ac- cident, ordered his archers to advance within fhot of Henry's line, and let fly a fhower of arrows, which were no fooner difcharged than they retired again to their former ftation. The Lancaftrians feeling the eflfeds of this flight, believed the Yorkifts were within their reach, and plied their bows until their quivers were quite exhaufted, without having done the leaft execution. Then Falconbridge ad- vanced again with his archers, who now (hot their arrows v/ithout oppofition, and flew a vaft number of the enemy, even with the fhafcs which they picked from the field, after their own quivers were emptied. The earl of Northumberland and Sir An- drew Trollop, who commanded the van of Henry's army, feeing the difadvantage under which they laboured, in this way of fighting, advanced to cjofe combat, and each fide fought with equal cou- rage, obftinacy, and rancour. The battle raged with great fury from morning till night -y and Ed- ward E D W A R D IV. 6t ward exhibited fuch proofs of furprifmg courage, *"c-»4««" activity, and conduct, that the fate of the day de- pended in a great meafure on his perfonal beha- viour, and that of the earl of Warwick. Towards the evening, the Lancaftrians being difcouraged by the death of the earls of Northumberland and Weft- moreland, the lords Dacres and Willes, Sir Andrew Trollop, and many other officers of diftinction, be- gan to give ground, though not in great diforder, intending to retreat to the bridge of Tadcafter. They accordingly preferved their ranks, and wheel- ed about occafionally as they retired, until Edward and Warwick animating their men to render the a&ion decifive, they redoubled their efforts, and charged with fuch impetuofity, that the Lancaf- trians were broken and intireiy routed. Great numbers were flain in the field of battle arid in the purfuit; but the chief carnage happened at the fmali river Coc, which difembogues itfelf into the Warf. Thiiher the fugitives fled in hope of ford-- ing the ftream ; but it was fo fwelled with the rains as to be rendered impaffable, until a kind of bridge or mound was formed by the dead bodies of the Lancaftrians, who were flaughtered on the banks, or drowned in the river, which ran purple with their - blood. Nor will this circumftance appear incredi- ble, when we confider, that above fix and thirty thoufand men were killed in this battle. The dukes Sto^c- of Somerfet and Exeter efcaped with great difficulty-, BioiS!" but the earl of D^vonfhire was taken. Immedia- SPCCJ- tely after this great victory, Edward advanced to York, in hope of feizing the perfons of Henry and Margaret ; but this princefs had retired with her husband to Berwick. There being joined by the dukes of Somerfet and Exeter, me concluded a treaty with the Scottilh miniftry, and repaired to that kingdom, where me and her husband met with a very hofpitable reception. This, however, (he 62 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A. c. 1461. (he pure ha fed at a dear rate, in ceding the town and caftle of Berwick to the Scottifh monarch, who was at that time a minor, under the tuition of George Douglas earl of Angus, with whom Henry engaged in a particular convention. Edward, on his arrival at York, ordered the heads of his father and the earl of Salisbury to be taken down from the walls, and thole of the earl of Devonfhire and fome others, who were beheaded as traitors, to be fet up in their room. Edward ne- Tne battle of Towton intircly decided the fate Elce *" of the houfe of Lancafter. The North, which ufed to with John, fapply it with forces, was now exhaufted, and the bra- ii!es.° ' velt warriors of thofe parts had perifhed in fuch a feries of engagements. The queen had no refource left but the friendfhip of Scotland, from which me could expect but little affiftance during the mino- rity of James III. Edward was mailer of all Eng- land and Wales, except Harlegh and Merioneth- Ihire, and fome caftles in Northumberland, which he did not think it neceflary to reduce. Perhaps he was afraid of their being delivered to the Scots, mould they be hard prefTed by his forces ; or ima- gined they would fubmit of their own accord, upon his title's being univerfally acknowledged in all other parts of the kingdom, and confirmed by the ceremony of his coronation, which he would no longer defer. He had proceeded as fur as New- caftle, where having made fome neceiTary regula- tions for preferving the peace of the country, and left a body of troops fufficient to repel the incur- fions that might be made from thole caftles that did not yet acknowledge his fovereignty, he returned to his palace of Shene, in the neighbourhood of London. The twentieth day of June was fixed for his coronation ; and, in the mean time, by the advice of the earl of Douglas, who had been long a refugee in England, he refoived to find fuch env ployment E D W A R D IV. 6$ ployment for the Scots as would prevent them from A c- M^" giving any confiderable afiiftance to Henry and Margaret. For this purpofe he entered m\o a ne- gotiation with the earl of Rofs, lord of the Ifles, who had revolted from James, and promifed to wafte the northern parts of Scotland with fire and fword : but, as the artioles of this treaty, which was managed by the earl of Douglas, could not be executed immediately, Edward propofed a truce to the regency of Scotland, and commiffloners were appointed to treat on this fubjecl: ; but the confe- rences were rendered ineffectual by the intrigues of Margaret, who refided at Edinburgh, and by this time had ingratiated herfelf with Mary of Gueldres, the Scottifh king's mother. Mean while the new king of England was crown- Heiscrown- ed at Weftminfler, and iffued out writs for callino- a ed. a* Wdl~ i fit r T mW mmfier. parliament to meet on the lixtn day of July, from Proceeding* which it was prorogued to the fourth day of Novem- m-iu^ ber. Immediately after the feflion was opened, the commons attended Ed ward with an addrefs, congra- tulating him on his acceffion to the throne, and re- quefting him to punifh all perfons guilty of fuck extortions, riots, rapes, murders, and other ini- quities, as had been committed with impunity^ during the preceding reign. Then an act was pal- led, confirming the title of Edward. All thole which had been made againft the houfe of York were repealed. Henry VI. after a reign of eight and thirty years, was declared an ufurper, and all his tranfactions were annulled as illegal ; and laftly, he himfelf, his queen, and all their adherents, were Rynwr attaimed as traitors. During this feflion, Edward Rot ^-:- created his brother George duke of Clarence ; his younger brother Richard was made duke of Glou cefter ; the lord Falconbridge promoted to the earldom of Kent ; Henry Bourchier the king's uncle, was honoured with the earldom of Efiex ; and John ilj brother to the earl of Warwick, was created baron 64 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A.c.r46 1. baron of" Montague. Thefe promotions were fol- lowed by feventies which ferve to evince that cruelty •which was inherent in all, even the moft accom- plilhed princes of the Norman line. Befides Plenry himfelf, his wife Margaret, and their fon Edward, who were attainted, the fame act included the dukes of Somerfet and Exeter, the earls of Northumber- land, Wilts, and Pembroke, the vifcount Beaumont, the lords Roos, Nevil, Willes, Clifford, Grey of Rugemont, Dacres, and Hungerford, Sir Richard Tonftall, and a great number of gentlemen, whofe eftates were confifcated. John earl of Oxford, a venerable old nobleman of unblemifhed character, was arrefled on pretence of having engaged in a correfpondence with Margaret •, and, without hav- ing enjoyed the benefit of a trial, beheaded on Tower hill, together with his eldeft fon Aubrey de "Vere, Sir Thomas Todenham, Sir Walter Tirrel, and Sir John Montgomery ; and Sir Baldwin Ful- ford fuffered afterwards in Briftol. The lands and effects of thofe victims he diilributed among his adherents, and conciliated the affection of the clergy by confirming their privileges, exempting them from being profecuted in civil courts for felonies and other offences •, eftablifhing the jurifdiction of ecclefiaftical courts with regard to tythes, and allow - Rymer. mg them to iilue fpiritual cenfures againfl fuch as fhould invade their prerogatives. SlTvendon Edward having regulated his domeftic affairs, with John, converted his attention to foreign occurrences. Eng- Jordjfthc jand was anally at war with France, Scotland, Brittany, and the Low Countries •, and if all thefe powers had joined againft Edward at this juncture, his royalty would have been of Ihort (duration. Luckily for him, he had nothing to fear from Lewis XI. of France, whofe mind was wholly en- groffed by a project for rendering himfelf abfolute in his own dominions, and deftroying the power of E D W A R D IV. of the nobles, of whom the dukes of Burgundy and A<(i' Bretagne were the principal. He therefore had no inclination to renew the war with England. The duke of Brittany was in no condition to cope with fuch a powerful kingdom. The duke of Burgundy, though a friend to the houfe of Lancafter, was fo well acquainted with the difpofition of Lewis, that he divined his fcheme : and defired to live in peace with England, that he might be the more able to anticipate the French king's defigns. In thefe fentiments, he fent ambafladors to congratulate Edward on his acceflion to the throne-, and to complain of fome infractions of the truce fubfifting between England and the Low Countries. They met with a very favourable re- ception ; and commifiioners were appointed to exa- mine the particulars of the complaint, that all dif- ferences might be amicably compromifed. Scot- land then was the only place from whence he could apprehend the lead moleftation. Margaret had concluded a contract of marriage between her fon Edward, and the fifter of James, though both par- ties were infants ; and leaving her husband at Edinburgh, made a voyage to trance to crave the afiiftance of Lewis : but that prince was not of a character to engage in any enterprize from which he faw no profpect of advantage. He courteoufly received Margaret, who was his near relation, and even amufed her with promife of fuccour ; but all fhe could obtain was a prefent of twenty thoufand livres, and a declaration that all the adherents of the houfe of Lancafter Ihould meet with a friendly reception in his dominions. Edward, in order to baffle her intrigues in Scotland, ftill employed Douglas in a negotiation with John lord of the Ifles, who had lately fucceeded his father. The bilhop of Durham, the earl of Worcefter, and fome others, were empowered to finifh the treaty, which was concluded on the following conditions : That John earl of Rofs, lord of the Ifles, DonaJbd Ballach his N°. 42. F brother. 66 HISTORYo? ENGLAND. A.c. 1461, brother, and John the Ton of Donald, fhould do ho- mage to king Edward : That they fhould never acknowledge any other king of England but Ed- ward, or his fucct'flbrs, defcended from Lionel duke of Clarence : That they fhould be ready to ferve him in all his wars againft the Scots in Britain and Ireland: Thar, in time of peace, the earl of Rofs fhould enjoy a yearly pen (ion of one hundred pounds fterling, foity be allowed to Donald, and ten to John the fon of Donald •, and that thefe pen- fions Ihould be doubled in time of v/ar or actual fer- vice : That in cafe Scotland fhould be conquered by the arms of Edward, he fhculd inveft them with the property of all the ifles fituated to the north- ward of the Scottifh lea : That James earl of Douglas fhould in like manner receive the invefti- turecf all the lands he had formerly poffefied in Scot- land, from the north lea to the borders of England-, and that Edward fhould make neither peace nor truce with Scotland, without comprehending them Rynwr. in th" treaty. Margaret Edv/ard had intimated his elevation to pope attempt* to Pius II. who now thinking him fufficiently efta- rTouth,Tbut~ blifliecl on the throne, addreffed him in a brief, jsrepuiicd. congratulating him upon his acceiTion ; but couch- ed in llich a manner as reierved to himfelf the li- berty of unfaying his compliment, in cafe the king fhould experience a viciffitude of fortune ; for his approbation was conditional, and founded upon the proofs which Edward himfelf advanced in be- half of his pretenfi^p.s. The lord Falconbridge, lately created earl of Kent, was now promoted to the poft of high admiral of England-, and the kingdom enjoying profound trar.quility, after the ftorm by which it had been agitated, the duke of Somerfet, and Ralph Piercy, brother to the earl of Northumberland, implored the mercy of the kiiv£, by whom they were ger.eroufly pardoned. This EDWARD IV. 67 This calm was not of long duration. Margaret A- c- '46;« having obtained a fmall reinforcement in France, Aft. Pub. commanded by Peter Ue Breze fenefchal of Nor- mandy, let fail for England, in full confidence of being joined by the inhabitants of the northern pro- vinces. But, when me landed at Tinmouth, fhe found herfelf in danger of being furrounded by a body of Edward's troops, which obliged her to retire on board of her {"hips with the utmoft preci- pitation. A ftorm immediately beginning to blow, her fhip was feparated from the reft of the fleer, and with great difficulty made the harbour of Ber- wick, while the other veflels were driven towards Bamburg, where the French attempted to land ; but their defcent being oppofed by the Baflard Ogle, at the head of fome forces, they retired to the fmall iiland of Lindisfarne. There they were attacked by Ogle, who flew part of their number, and took the reft prifoners ; and their commander De Breze made his efcape in a fifhing-boat to Berwick. Bionai. Edward being informed of thefe tranfactions, and A. c. 1463. fuppofing that Margaret was allured of fuccours in Henry and Scotland, with which (he would not fail to invade JJ"^1^ the northern counties, detached baron Montague, •tHedum with the forces that were at hand, to retard her rb>nl;\e^a^ progrefs, until he himfeif mould follow with a nu- gue. merous fleet and army to overturn all- her projects. Margaret had actually entered Northumberland with a body of freebooters, who enlifted on pro- mife of being allowed to plunder-, and her army encreafed to fuch a degree, that the duke of So- merfet and Sir Ralph Pi-rcy began to imagine me would fucceed in h^r enterprize •, and notwkhftand- ing the late oath they had taken to Edward, joined her with all their adherents. Montague, having ad- vanced as far as Durham, halted fome days in that place until hz received a reinforcement ; then con- tinuing his march, encountered a detachment of the F 2 enemy's 68 HIS TORY or ENGLAND; A.C. 1463. enemy's army, commanded by the lords Hnrrger- ford and Roos, on Hedgeley-Moor, where they were routed •, and Sir Ralph Piercy loft his life on this occafion. Montague, encouraged by this fuc- cefs, refolved to have the whole honour of defeat- ing Margaret before the king fhould come up, and marching directly to Hexham, where her army was intrenched, he attacked them in their lines be- fore they had intimation of his approach, and ob- tained a complete victory. The duke of Somerfet was taken priibner, together with the lords Roos and Hungerford ; but Henry, his queen, and fon, ef- caped into Scotland, though they were fo hotly purfuedj that fome of Henry's attendants were taken almoft by his fide ; and among thefe the per- fon who carried his cap of ftate, which was delivered to Edward. The prifoners were not fuffered to languifh in confinement ; Somerfet, Roos, Hun- gerford, W. Tailboys earl of Kyme, and Sir John Finderne,- were immediately beheaded, the firft at Hexham, and the reft at Newcaftle •, Sir Humphrey Nevil and twelve other gentlemen were executed at York ; their eftates were diftributed among the ad- herents of the victor, and the lord Montague was created earl of Northumberland •, though Denry Piercy, fubmitting to Edward in the fequel, was reftored to his honours with the confent of Nevil, who contented himfeif with the title of marquis of Montague. After the victory at Hexham, the king, who had concludes a truce with advanced as far as Durham, thought it unneceffary to Scotland!"* proceed farther northward in perfon, but fent the earl of Warwick to reduce fome places which Margaret had taken, whHe he himfeif returned to London. The earl dividing his army into three bodies, in- vefted at the fame time the caftks of Hamburg, Dunftanburg, and Alnewick : the two firft of thefe places were foon reduced, and the commanders pu- nifhed E D W A R D IV. 69 nilhed as traitors : but De Breze, who commanded A'c-'4$3- the garrifon of Alnewick, compofed of French troops, defended himfelf with great gallantry, un- til he and his men were brought oft by the earl of Angus at the head of a ftrong body of Scottifh cavalry. Edward's laft victory cooled that friendfhip which the French and Scots had hitherto mani-> fefted for the unfortunate Henry, whofe affairs they now looked upon as defperate. The Scots per- ceiving the precautions which were taken by Mon- tague, whom the king of England had juft declared warden of the marches, faw no profpecl of eluding his vigilance by incurfions, and defired that Ed- ward would grant fafe-condu£h for ambaffadors to come and treat of a pacification : at the fame time Lewis XI. negotiated a truce with him for one year, by the mediation of the duke of Burgundy, who like wife renewed the truce of commerce between England and the Low Countries. Mean while the archbifhop of St. Andrew's repairing to London, as envoy from the regency of Scotland, concluded a like truce between the two kingdoms, on condition that the refpective kings fhould not in any ftiape countenance or aflift the enemies of each other. A&. pub. Henry being thus abandoned by all his allies, Henry is and thinking his perfon unfafe at Edinburgh fince taken a"d i i *> /• I • i n 11- conveyed to the conclufion or this lair agreement, took the im- the prudent refolution of repairing privately to England, where perhaps he hoped the northern counties would again rife in his favour. He accordingly fet out from Edinburgh, in difguife, attended by three divines, and reached Waddington-Hall in Lancafhire, where, after he had lain concealed for fome time, he was difcovered by Sir James Har- rington, who treated this unfortunate prince with the utmoft indignity. He was feized as he fat at dinner, and being placed upon a horfe, his legs were tied tinder the belly of the beaft, as if he had F 3 been 70 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A. c. 1463. been the vilcft malefactor. In this manner he was conducted to London, and being met upon the read by the earl of Warwick, that nobleman in- fulted him in the molt oppiobrious terms ; even en- couraging the multitude to deride the unfortunate monarch. After the capture i,f Henry, his queen, and fon, afraid of trufting to any perfcn's fidelity, fled for refuge into woods and defarts, where they fuffered all the extremity of diltrefs, till at length they were rifled by robbers, who would, in a¥l probability, have deprived them of their lives as well as of their apparel and effects, had not the thieves quarrelled abouc the booty, and attacking one another, afforded an opportunity for the royal prifoners to make their efcape. They had not pro- ceeded far when they were met by another ruffian, who approached them wirh a drawn fword in his hand and fury in his afpecl. On this occafion, Margaret exhibited a remarkable proof of prefence of mind and refolution. Taking her fon by the hand, an:! afTuming an air of confidence and ma- jefty, " Here, friend," faid me, " fave my fon, the *c fon of good king Henry." The robber was ftruck v. kh the dignity and beauty of her perfon, as well as with the nature of her addrefs. He hap- pened to be one of thofe who had been outlawed for adhering to the caufe of her husband. His favage heart was melted with companion, at fight of his queen and prince in fuch deplorable diltrefs. He comforted them with afTurances of fidelity and pro- tection i and carefully conducted them to a village near the fea- fide, where they found an opportunity of embarking in a veflel for Flanders. They were hofpitably received by the duke of Burgundy, from whole c urtthey repaired to that of Margaret's fa- ther Rer.s of A njou. About the fame time Ed- mund duke of Somerfet, brother of him who was beheaded at Hexham, and the duke of Exeter, ef- caped E D W A R D IV. 71 caped to the Low Countries, where they concealed A-C-H63. their quality, in apprehenfion of being delivered in- to the hands of Edward -, and were reduced to fuch extremity of wretchednefs, that even in the feve- reft time of winter, they ran about barefoot as errand boys to the loweit clafs of people, till at length they were difcovered and accommodated by ph.]; de the duke of Burgundy with moderate penfions for comims. their fubfiftence. A c i 6 Edward having Henry in his power, and Marga- ret having quitted th° kingdom, there was no other maSs perfon capable of difturbing his tranquiluy. He proofed for therefore feized this opportunity of acquiring the Ec affection of his fubjects, .who had been alarmed and difgufted by his late acts of levericy. He had pub- limed a general amnefty in favour of all the Lan- caftrians who, within a certain fpecified time, fhould fubmit to his government, and take die oath of alle- giance, lie exerted all his talents in eiforts to render himfelf popular. He treated all his noble- men as if they had been his own brothers : he af- fected to appear the father of his people. His per- fonal accomplifiiments and gallantry recommended him to the favour of the female fex, which he cul- tivated with the moil afliduous addrefs. By his a ifable deportment he ingratiated h-mfelf v/ith all degrees of people •, the meaneft ilippliant v/as ad- mitted to his pretence, and every day v/as diftin- guiihed by his acts oi companion and generofity. During tiiis feafon of prace and good humour, his chief councilors advifed him to convert his thoughts to matrimony, that hz might fe- the fuccefiion fet- tled upon his own ifllie. Hs Itemed to relifh the advice ; and three matches were propofed for his acceptance. The firft was Margaret fitter, of the Scottifh king-, but befides that this princeis was already betrothed to Edward the fon of Henry, me was too young for confummation. The fecond was F 4 Ifabel f2 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A. 0.146.;. Ifabel of Caftile, who afterwards married Ferdinand king ofArragonj but (he was likewife judged too young for wedlock. Bona of Savoy, fifter to the queen of France, was the third princefs propofed as a confort for Edward, who determined to demand her in marriage -, and for this purpofe, the earl of "Warwick was appointed ambafTador extraordinary to the French court, where the lady refided. We have already obferved, that the chief aim of Lewis was to reduce the exorbitant power of his grandees, and particularly to abafe the dukes of Burgundy and Bretagne. The firft of thefe was fo powerful that he durft not attack him openly ; and therefore he refolved to begin with the duke of Brittany, on pre- tence of a difpute which had long fubfifted between the crown of France and the ibvereigns of that province, touching the nature of the homage which the duke fhould pay to the French monarch. The kings of France had always demanded liege, and the dukes never granted more than fimple homage-, fo that both fides ufed to enter a proteft at every new inveftiture. Lewis, refolving to make uieofthis pretext, ordered a body of troops to rendezvous in Anjou, and then fent the chancellor de Mor- villiers with an order to the duke of Bretagne, pro- hibiting him from afluming any right of fovereignty within his own dominions. The duke being in no, condition to oppofe fuch an antagonift in the field, had recourfe to ftratagem, and defired he might he indulged with a delay of three months, that he might confult the eftates of his dutchy. His re- queft being granted, he employed this interval in caballing among the peers of France, with whom he joined in a powerful confederacy, which was afterwards diftinguimed by the name of the League pf the Public Good. Such was the fituation of affairs in France, when pdward fent the earl of Warwick tQ demand Bona E D W A R D IV. 73 of Savoy in marriage •, and nothing could have been *• c- Mfy more agreeable than this propofal to Lewis, who Edward dc. earneftly wilhed for an alliance with England, "^nds the which would prevent Edward from interfering with ofLvoy]* his defigns. He accordkigly aflented to the pro- marriage. pofition ; and that he might reap all the advantage that could be produced from fuch a connexion, he fpun out the treaty of marriage, in hope of conclud-r ing a lading peace, and engaging in a bond of per- fonal friendfaip with the king of England : he was allb defirous of extending this alliance to the duke of Burgundy, that Francis duke of Bretagne might be deprived of all affiftance and protection. With this view, he agreed with Edward and Philip to hold a congrefs at Hefdin, from whence it was af- terwards transferred to St. Omer ; though this pro- duced nothing but a prolongation of the truce, In the courfe of the fame year, another truce was con- cluded with Scotland for fifteen years ; and in the month of Auguft ambafiadors arrived in England from the duke of Brittany, who, finding himfelf hard prefied by the king of France, follicited a truce for one year with Edward, who, notwithstanding his negotiation with Lewis, granted the duke's re- A& Pub. quefl. Mean while the earl of Warwick fettled all the A. c. i4«s. articles of the marriage-contract, between the king Hehcapti- and the princefs Bona ; and Lewis appointed the vated bx tl* count of Dammartin as his ambafTador and pleni- E™z2etb potentiary at the court of London, to put the finifh- wJ^viiie. ing ftroke to that negotiation, which, however, was defeated by an extraordinary accident. Edward, chancing to hunt in Northamptonmire, went to vifit Jaquelina of Luxemburg, the dutchefs of Bed- ford, who, after the death of her firft husband, had given her hand to Sir Richard Wideville. By this fecond marriage me had among other children a daughter c^llecj Elizabeth, married to Sir John Grey 74 HISTORY or ENGLAND. A. c. 1465. Grey of Groby, who had been flain in the fervice of the houfe of Lancaiter. The young widow had retired to her father's houfe at Grafton, after having feen her husband's eftate confifcated ; and fhe took this opportunity of throwing herfelf at Edward's feet, and imploring a maintenance for herfelf and children, out of their father's fortune. Edward, naturally of an amorous complexion, could not behold this beauteous widow at his feet without emotion. He was inftantly captivated by her charms, and raifing her from the ground, made a favourable anfwer to her requeft. He confided fo much in his ftation and perfonal qualifications, as to imagine he fhould eafily triumph over her virtue and caution ; and found opportunities to make her acquainted with the nature of his paffion. He had for once, however, over-rated his own ad- drefs -, fhe rejected his propofals with difdain, and told him, that, although Ihe was unworthy of being his queen, fhe thought herfelf too good to be his concubine. This declaration completed her con- queft over the heart of Edward, who now approved of her fpirit and difcretion, as much as he admired her beauty : in a word, he laid afide his former fuir, which fhe could not have granted with any regard to her honour, and offered his hand as the price of her ccndefcenfion. It is not to be fuppoled fhe could have any reafon to refufe fuch an offer from a young prince of Edward's character and accom- plilhments. She embraced the propofal with tran- fport, and fuch marks of fenfibiiity as efkdlually fecured the heart of her admirer. whom he Nevertlielefs, he would not proceed farther in marries pri • t« /r* • • i • i • irately. this affair, without communicating his intention to his mother the dutchefs of York, who was ex- tremely furprifed and concerned at his paflion, and ufed all her endeavours to difTuade him from enga- ging in fuch an impolitic alliance. She obferved, that E D W A R D IV. that fuch a precipitate engagement would be an irre- parable injury and affront to the earl of Wanvick, as well as to the French king; and, in all probability, intail upon him the refentment cf both, to the re- proach of his character and imminent danger of his crown : that the nobles of England would juftly take umbrage at his raifing the family of Wideville fo far above all their honours -, that he could not, without degrading his dignity, give his hand to a private gentlewoman, his own fubje6t, who had feveral children by a former husband; and laftly me told him, that fince he was determined to take an Englifh wife, without the confiderations of high birth and opulent fortune, he ought to give the preference to a young lady called Elizabeth Lucy, whom he had formerly promifed to efpoufe. To thefe obfervations Edward replied, that he could not think of facri firing his pafficn, which was cer- tain, to the reientment of Warwick which was un- certain •, that the king of France would be too much engaged with his own domeftic affairs, to think of troubling his neighbours •, that his taking a wife from among his fubjects, far from giving um- brage, would be agreeable to his nobility, as all their families for the future might afpire at ths fame ho- nour ; and with refpeft to Elizabeth Lucy, he de- nied that any promife of marriage had been made to that young lady. But led the report of fuch an engagement might be afterwards uled as a pretext for invalidating the match upon which he had now fet his heart, he deiired Elizabeth might be exa- mined by the bifhops, touching the nature cf her correfpondence with him •, when me owned that he had never engaged himfelf to her by promife of marriage ; though at the fame time Ihe declared that Ihe would never have confented to the gratifi- cation of his defires, if me had not thought his in- tentions were honourable. From this anfwer, the prelates 76 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A. c. 146,5. prelates determined that he might marry another woman wich a fafe confcience; and Edward ef- poufed Elizabeth Wideville fo privately, that the marriage was not divulged until he thought proper stove. to ^ue ortjers for ner coronation. SfuSS6** ^ne n°bih' ty and people were not a little furprifed and the eari when they underftood that this extraordinary match kad been concluded, while the king carried on a negotiation at the court of France, for a marriage with the princefs of Savoy. The firft families of the kingdom were extremely difgufted at the pro- motion of Elizabeth and her relations ; for her fa- ther was elevated to the dignity of earl of Rivers ; her fifter Margaret was matched with Thomas lord Matravers, fon and heir of William earl of Arun- del ; her brother Anthony Wideville efpoufed the only daughter and heir of lord Scales, the richeft fortune in the kingdom ; and her fon Thomas be- ing created marquis of Dorfet, married the heirefs of the lord Bonneville. But the difguft of the na- tion in general was a trifling circumftance, when compared with the refentment of the earl of War- wick, who looked upon this clandeftine match as the greateft infult and affront that could be offered to his honour. He confidered it as a flagrant proof of ingratirude in Edward, whom he had raifed to the throne ; and he could not help communicating his fentiments to the king of France, who did not fail to encourage and foment his indignation. That prince was incenfed againft Edward for the outrage offered to the honour of his family ; but his own affairs would not allow him to manifeft his refent- ment, which he therefore refolved to diffemble un- til he mould find fome favourable opportunity to do himfelf juftice. Lewis had nothing princely in his difpofition, except perfonal courage, of which he had exhibited repeated proofs before he afcended the throne of France : but he was a cool, felfifh, diflembling EDWARD IV. 77 tTiffembling politician, who knew how to difguiie A> c- H6s. his fentiments and defigns •, who could ftoop to the meaneft condefcenfions, when he thought his in- tereft would be promoted by fuch compliance ; and whofe reign was a continual exertion of low cun- ning, by which he fometimes overfhot his purpofe, and never failed to incur the contempt of his neigh- bours. The earl of Warwick returned to England glow- Wad™cek'9 ing with refentment and revenge, which, however, dfnJin'ti* he concealed with great care and circumfpection ; court°jj and from this very difiimulation Edward divined nsan the nature of his fentiments : but, as it was the in- tereft of both to difguife their real thoughts, the king continued to treat him with exterior marks of refpect ; and the earl maintained his place in the council, until his credit and influence were wholly fuperfeded by the earl of Rivers. In the mean time the ceremony of the queen's coronation was performed at Weftminfter on the twenty- fixth day of May, with great pomp and magnificence ; tho* neither Warwick nor his brothers, the earl of Nor- thumberland, and George lately promoted to the archbifhopric of York, aflifted on this occafion. Thefe two feem to have abiented themfelves from difguft ; but the earl of Warwick was at that time in Boulogne with the lords Haftings and Wenlock, as ambafiadors from Edward, fent to treat about a commercial truce with the count of Charolois, and the envoys of his father, Philip duke of Burgundy. This negotiation mifcarried, through the count's attachment to the houfe of Lancafter, from which he was defcended by his mother : but Warwick and his colleagues, being empowered to treat with the ambaffadors of France and Brittany, concluded a truce with both of thefe powers, though they were *•?*"• at war with each other. 4 The 78 HISTORY QP ENGLAND. A. c. 1465. The duke of Brittany had not only engaged the stateof count de Charolois and the duke of Bourbon in the France, war Qf ^ Public Good, but even brought over the French king's brother the duke of Berry, to the intereii of the confederates. The count de Charolois was perfonally incenfed againft Lewis, who had, by bribing the minifters of his father Philip, obtained the reftitution of the towns upon the Spmme, for the confideration of four hundred thoufand crowns, according to the treaty of Arras ; and afterwards employed the Bafiard of Rubempre, and others, to furprife the perfons of the duke and the count, and bring them to him deaj or alive. His fcheme being detected, the count de Charolois was io exafperaied at his perfidy, that he railed a numerous army and approached Paris, while the duke Philip de of Brittany and the reft of the confederates made pre- tcmines. parations to join him with a ftrong reinforcement. Lewis, who was then in the Bourbonnois, being in- formed of his motions, marched directly tov/ards the capital. Their armies meeting at Monthlery, a battle enlued, and both fides claimed the victory. The king threw hirnfelf into Paris, and took fuch pre- cautions for the defence of the capital, that, when the confederates joined, they found it fo well forti- fied, that they could not undertake the fiege with any profpedl of fuccefs. At length the war was terminated by a treaty figned at Conflans, by which Lewis reftored to the duke of Burgundy the towns fituated upon the Somme -, and granted Normandy as an appenage to his brother the duke of Berry. After the ratification of this agreement, the count de Charolois returned to the Low Countries ; and the duke of Berry, accompanied by the duke of Brittany, went to take poffeffion of Normandy, where, in a few days, thefe two princes happening to quarrel, the duke of Brittany retired to his own dominions. Lewis, taking advantage of this dif- fenfion, E D W A R D IV. 79 fenfion, marched without delay into Normandy, A.C. i46S. from whence he expelled his brother, who found himfelf obliged to take refuge in Brittany, where, notwithftanding his quarrel with the duke, he met with an hofpitable reception. All theic different powers negotiated at the fame A. c. 1466. time with Edward, who politically amufed them all E^-ard with hopes of a folid alliance ; but in the mean ImtyJith time agreed to a fhort truce with each, that he thecoui?tde might keep himfelf unengaged until he mould fee the ilfue of the war, and take his meafures accord- ingly. During thefe tranfacftions, Ifabel de Bour- bon, fecond wife of the count de Charolois, dying, he began to look upon Edward in a different light from that in which he had confidered him before. He fa\v him triumphing over all oppofition, and firmly fettled on the throne of England j he fore- faw nothing bot mifchief to himfelf from the con- junction of Edward and Lewis ; and the faireft ad- vantage from an alliance with the king of England. In theiefentiments he demanded Edward's fitter Mar- garet in marriage; and this propofal was very agreeable to the Englifli monarch, who knew that Lewis hated him in his heart on account of his fifter-in-law Bona ; that ail his advances and profeffions were infmcere ; and that fooner or later he would manifeft his re- fentment : befides, it was not the intereft of Eng- land to fit tamely neutral, and fee the French king ruin the dukes of Burgundy and Bretagne. He therefore, on the twelfth day of October, figned a treaty of perfonal alliance, friendfhip, and frater- nity, with the count de Charolois •, and fent a fafe- conduft to Lewis of Bruges lord of Gruthuyfen, whom the duke of Burgundy had appointed as his plenipotentiary, to treat with Edward concerning a perpetual peace, and regulate the conditions of the marriage between the count de Charoiois and the Rymer% princeis Margaret. Mean So HISTORY OP ENGLAND. A;C. 1466. Mean while the duke of Brittany was hard prefled Birth of the by Lewis : fmce the duke of Berry had beeri ex- EiScth. pel led from Normandy, he was fupported by this prince, who endeavoured to execute the treaty of Conflans ; and the count de Charolois engaged to make a powerful diverfion in Picardy. But his father Philip having undertaken a war againft the inhabitants of Liege, the count could not poflibly perform his promife ; fo that the duke of Brittany was obliged to temporize with Lewis, by entering into a negotiation with him about his giving up his right of fovereignty. This, however, was no more than an expedient to gain time, until the count de Charolois mould be in a condition to give him effectual alii fiance. Accordingly, the war of Liege being fufpended by a truce, the count was on the eve of marching into Picardy, when Lewis, by his intrigues, induced the Liegeois to recom- mence hoftilities, which prevented him from carry- ing his fcheme into execution ; and the duke of Brittany was left to ftruggle alone againft the whole power of France. By this time Edward's queen was delivered of the princefs Elizabeth, who proved the means of extinguishing the fatal quarrel between the houfes of York and Lancafter; and the king- dom enjoyed profound tranquility. The young monarch concluded treaties of perpetual alliance with the kings of Caftile and Denmark ; and pro- longed the truce with Scotland for the term of five -Rymer. Pr and forty years. Dc^h^f67 Lewis of France continued his operations againft phriH °duke the duke of Brittany, who loft all the places he °[ndUI~ poffefled in Lower Normandy, and faw himfelf on the brink of being attacked in his own proper do- minions, while the forces of Burgundy were ftill employed againft the inhabitants of Liege : but the French king underftanding by his fpies, that the negotiation between Edward and Philip related to E D W A R D IV. 81 to the defence of Bretagne, he exerted all his art A- c- '467« and influence to divert the king of England from thofe engagements with his enemies. He fent the Baftard of Bourbon and the archbifhop of Nar- bonne, as his ambaffadors to London, with pro- pofals of alliance with Edward, who pretended to be entirely free of all connexions, and immediately appointed commifHoners to treat with thefe envoys : but he found means to protract the negotiation ; and Lewis was afraid to drive the duke of Bretagne to extremity, left the king of England mould break off the treaty, and declare in that prince's favour. Such was the fituation of affairs when Philip duke of Burgundy died -, and was fucceeded by his only fon the count de Charolois, who, on the very day of his father's death, ratified the alliance with Edward, and declared himfelf more zealous than ever in fup- port of the duke of Brittany. Mean while the court of England underwent con- Theeariof fiderable changes, which were productive of infinite JheVq"eeni mifchief to the nation. As the queen's relations °.ther rela- advanced in Edward's favour, the earl of Warwick thT and his brothers declined in their intereft, and were ^m» every day fubjected to new mortifications. The "0 poft of chancellor, which had been occupied by the archbifhop of York, was taken in an abrupt and difobliging manner from that prelate, and given to the bifhop of Bath and Wells, one of the queen's moft zealous partifans. The earl of Warwick was no longer employed in any affair of importance ; and his brother the marquis of Montague was kept at a diftance from court, by his office of warden of the Scottifh marches. On the other hand, the earl of Rivers was elevated to the higheft pinnacle of greatnefs. To the poft of lord high treafurer, which he already poffefled, was added that of high conftable, vacant by the refignation of the earl of Worcefter, whom the king created his lieutenant in N°. 42. G Ireland 82 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A. c. 1.567. Ireland under the duke of, Clarence •, and the fur- vivancy of the conftable's place was conferred upon the earl's fon Anthony Wideville. The queen's fifter Catharine was married to Henry duke of Buckingham •, and another fifter called Anne match- ed with George fon and heir of the earl of Kent, formerly Edmund lord Grey of Ruthvin : William, cldeft fon of the lord Herbert, efpoufing Mary a third fifter of the queen, was created lord of Dun- ftar, and afterwards earl of Huntingdon ; and his fifter Margaret was given in marriage to Thomas Talbot viicount L'Ifte. Thefe honours and alli- ances given and contracted in favour of an obfcure family, excited the hatred and envy of the com- mons as well as of the nobility, who could not but re- pine at the king's partiality, in behalf of his wife's relations ; but of all the nobility, the earl of War- wick and his brothers had the greateft reafon to complain of thefe promotions, to fome of which they were more than any other peribns in the king- dom, intided, by the great fervices they had done to Edward. Inftead of being recompenied as they deferved, over and above the indelible affront of- fered to the earl in the affair of the lady Bona, he was excluded from all mare in the adminiftration, fubjected to a feries of (lights and infults from the queen and her kindred, who feemed intent upon driving him from court, left he mould one day re- trieve his credit at the council ; and at laft, the king. by a H6*. Burgundy, he reiblved to confer with him per- fonally -, hoping by his eloquence and infinuation, to detach him intirely from the interefts of the duke of Bretagne : at leaft, he thought he mould be able to fow fuch jealoufies between thefe allies, as would produce an harveft that would turn out to his ad- vantage. With this view, he demanded a fafe- conduct from the duke, by virtue of which he might vifit him at Peronne •, and this being granted, he repaired to that place with a very {lender retinue. Before he took this refolution, he had fent ambaf- fadors to perfuade the inhabitants of Liege to re- nounce the lad peace, and take arms againft Charles ; in which cafe he promifed to fupply them with powerful fuccours. He had even forgot to recal the ambafladors, who fucceeded fo well in their ne- gociation, that the Liegeois immediately recom- menced hoftilities ; and, intelligence of this was brought to Charles while the king of France was with him at Peronne. The duke of Burgundy was fo incenfed at this double-dealing rh Lewis, whofe aim he imagined was to furprife him unpro- vided for his own defence, that he put the French king under arreft in the caflle of Peronne ; and detained him prifoner for fome days, during which he wavered in his refolution, about the conduct he fhould obferve on fuch an occafion. Lewis, whofe own knavifh difpofition taught him to dread the de- figns of his enemy, remained all that time under the utmoft terror and agitation, and refolved to purchafe his liberty, by fubmitting to all the con- ditions that the duke mould pleafe to impofe. But, he found in Charles fuch generofity, as even trarif- cended his warmeft hope. All that he demanded was that Lewis fhould beftow Champagne and Brie on his brother, the duke of Berry, in lieu of Normandy, which was granted to him by the treaty G 3 of 86 HISTORYopENGLAND. A.C. 1462. Of Con flans ; and that he would accompany the duke in his war againft the Liegeois. In a few days after this convention, they fet out together for the country of Liege, and Lewis had the mortifi- cation to be an eye- witnefs cf the deftiuclion of the capital city, which he himfclf had inftigated to its own ruin. At length he obtained his liberty, afcer having undergone the moft dreadful apprehenfion Phil;? de °f lofing his life, or being detained in perpetual Conines imprifonment. perfecuticn About this period, Ed\vard renewed the antient maf cookT a^^ance between England and Arragon •, fo that being at peace with almoft all the princes of the continent, he had nothing to fear but from do- meftic troubles ; and of thefe he feemed to have but little apprehenfion : though a fpirit of difcon- tent began to diffufe itfelf through the nation, which was difgufted by the pride and infolence of the queen's relations. Sir Thomas Cooke, who had been mayor of London, was accufed of treafon by one Hawkins, a fervant of lord Wenlock, and ar- refted -, but, bailed at the requeft of the princefs Margaret, before her marriage with the duke of Burgundy : after her departure he was again appre- hended, and fent prifoner to the Tower ; and his houfe and effects, to a very confiderable value, were feized by the earl of Rivers, as treaiurer of Eng- land. After having lain a long time in prifon, he was tried and acquitted by feveral juries, though not releafed : then a bill being found againft him, for miiprifion of treafon, he was committed to the Compter, and from thence conveyed to the King's. Bench in Southwark. There he continued for a long time, while the fervants of Rivers plundered his houfes, until he purchafed his liberty with eight thoufand pounds, by way of fine to the king for his offence. Nor was this the end of his perfecution. The queen demanded an hundred marks for every thoufand E D W A R D VI. 87 thoufand pounds of his fine; and this exaction he A.C. i4«s. was obliged to pay, over and above large prefents' to her council. His accufer, with fome others, was afterwards hanged at Tyburn, for correfponding with Margaret of Anjou and the duke of Somerfer. He was apprehended on the information of a fer- Fab;*n- vant belonging to Robert Whittingham, taken at Queenborough with letters from France. This man being put to the torture, impeached Sir Ger- vafe Clyfton, and feveral other gentlemen, who were afterwards tried and acquitted. The earl of Warwick himfelf incurred the like Theeariof imputation. The family of the Widevilles had StS* ufed all their endeavours to render this noblerrxan Wales. fufpected to the king, who had, indeed, very little reafon to confide in his attachment, confidering the ingratitude with which his fervices had been repay- ed. He had even attempted to debauch the earl's daughter, one of the mod beautiful young ladies, and the richeft heirefs in England ; an infult, for which he could never hope forgivenefs from a man of Warwick's character. One would be apt to ima- gine, that the king and his new miniftry practifed every method they could devife to provoke the earl to a declaration, which would free them from a dif- agreeable fufpence •, and furnifh them with a pre- text to complete his deftruction. Jafper earl of Pembroke arrived with a fmall body of troops from France, and landing near Hardlegh in Merio- nethmire, which was ftill occupied by the Lancaf- trians, was joined by a considerable number of the natives. With thefe he ravaged great part of North Wales, and burned the town of Denbigh ; but, was encountered and defeated by Sir Richard Herbert. After this action, Hardlegh caftle fur- rendered at difcretion •, and, Sir Richard Tonftal, Sir Henry Bellingham, Sir William Stoke, and about fifty other gentkmen being taken it it, were G 4 fent 88 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A. c. 1468. fcnt prifoners to the Tower, where two of the number, condemned by the earl of Rivers as con- ftable of England, were beheaded. With thefe Herbert, who was for this fervice created earl of Pembroke, fent a perfon who had brought letters from Margaret of Anjou ; and he, in order to fave his life, impeached, among others, the earl of Warwick •, though the whole charge amounted to no more than that he had heard beyond fea, the earl favoured the caufe of Margaret and her huf- band. CommifTaries were fent down to Middle- ham to examine him, and they found the accufation groundlefs -, though this freih infult gave a keener edge to his refentment. A,C. 1469. The Widevilles had by this time rendered them- Ceorgeduke felves fo odious to the nobility and people, that they of ckrence began to fear the confequences ; and psrfuaded the Slighter oCf king to mediate a reconciliation between them and the earl of the family of Warwick. With this view Edward fet out for Nottingham, where he effected an ac- commodation between the archbifhop of York and the earl of Rivers ; a great council was afterwards held at Coventry, to which that prelate brought w rccftr n*s brotner Warwick, and reconciled him to the K/mcr. ' lords Herbert, Stafford, a*nd Audley. The king was fo well pleafed with the archbifhop's conduct on this occafion, that he reftored to him the manor of Denley, and other lands which he had loft by the act of refumption. The accommodation be- tween Warwick and thofe noblemen was fo far from being fincere, that as fcon as the ceremony was over, the earl repaired to his government ac Calais, in order to execute a fcheme of revenge which he had already projected. He knew that George duke of Clarence, the king's brother, was incenfed againft Edward and his miniftry, who had excluded him from all advantageous offices, and all fhare in the adminiftration ; and, as he was, after Elizabeths E D W A R D IV, 89 Elizabeth, preemptive heir to the crown, War-A-c-H69' wick refolved to engage him in his intereft. For this purpofe he offered to him his daughter Ifabel in marriage; and Clarence readily embraced an alli- ance that would put him in poffeflion of one of the richeft and moft beautiful young ladies in England. This match alarmed Edward, who endeavoured to prevent it by intrigues and remonftrances at the court of Rome, to which the parties had applied for a difpenfation : but, by this time, Warwick had entered into a private negotiation with the French king, by whofe influence the difpenfation was ob- tained, and the marriage celebrated in the church of Notre Dame at Calais. While Warwick refided in this place, he feems inrurre£Hon to have felt the pulfeof the Engliih nacion, by em- ^j^0^" ploying his emiffaries to excite an infurredtion in Yorkfhire. The people refufing to contribute to the maintenance of the antient hofpital of St. Leo- nard near York, they were profecuted at law, and their effects diftrained •, and as they imagined the hofpital fubfifted by voluntary contribution, they looked upon thofe fuits as the effect of oppreiTion. This difcontcnt was fomented to fuch a degree, that they took to their arms, and affembling to the number of fifteen thoufand, began their march to the city of York, which was overwhelmed with confirmation, until Warwick's brother Montague threw himfelf into the town with a fmall body of choice foldiers •, and, in a faliy, took Robert Hil- yard their chieftain, commonly called Robin of Reddifale, whom he ordered to immediate execu- tion. The peafants were not difcouraged by this difafter ; but, choofmg Sir Henry Nevil, fon of lord Latimer, and S.r John Conyers, for their lea- ders, they advanced to Danefmore in Northampton- Ihire, about three miles from Banbury. The king had ordered the earl of Pembroke to rnarch againft them, 90 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A. 0.1469. themj at the head of twelve thoufand Welfhmen-j and they were joined by Humphrey Stafford, lately created earl of Devon, at the head of five thouiand archers ; but, the two chiefs quarreling about lodgings in Banbury, they feparated forces, and Pembroke hazarding an engagement, was defeated and (lain, Sir Henry Nevil had been taken inafkir- mifh on the eve of the battle, and killed in cold blood ; a circumftance which exafperated the York- fhire men to fuch a degree, that they gave no quar- ter to the Welm, five thoufand of whom were flain on the field, or in the purfuit. The earl of Devon was feized in his return by the king's order, and beheaded at Bridgewater ; and Richard earl of Rivers, with his fon John, being taken at Grafton, by a detachment of the rebel army, loft their heads at Northampton, by command of Sir John Con- yers, who without having done any further mifchief, retired towards Warwick, to wait for the return of the earl from Calais, by whofe direction he had hitherto proceeded. jraTocfcs Whether Edward was ignorant of this connexion, teTweenEd- or thought proper to temporize, certain it is, that v,ard ana when Warwick, and his ibn-in -law Clarence, ar- rfwi^'ly rived in England, and offered their afliftance to- u-ck. wards re-eftablifhing the tranquillity of the king- dom, he received them with an appearance of fatis- f action, creating Warwick chief judiciary of South Wales, conftable of the caftle of Cardigan, and fenefchal of all the courts and forefls in the mires of Carmarthen and Cardigan, offices vacant by the death of the earl of Pembroke. The king was likewife perfuaded to grant a general pardon to Conyers and his followers, who had by this time ir.creafed to fixty thoufand. As the nation in ge- neral was difcontented, and Margaret of Anjou, v/ith her fon and a fmall body of troops, reported to be at Harfleur in Normandy, ready to embark, 3 and E D W A R D IV. 91 and take advantage of the commotions in England, A-c- w- commifiions of array were ifilied for raifing the militia of Norfolk, Suffolk, and other maritime counties ; and the queen's brother, Anthony, now earl of Rivers, was fent to fea, with a ftrong fqua- dron, to prevent any attempts of the enemy. What- ever were the king's fentiments towards Warwick, he feems to have been bent upon making a friend of his brother Montague, perhaps with a view to leflen the power of the earl, which was very formi- dable. In a great council held on the fixth day of November, Edward afked the advice of the prelates and nobility, about providing an hufband for his daughter Elizabeth, heir to the crown of England *, and they unanimoufly concurred in recommending George, the fon of Montague, as the moft proper match for the young princefs. Their fentiments on this fubject being agreeable to thofe of Edward, he, by letters patent, advanced that young noble- man to the dignity of duke of Bedford. Such a teftimony of the king's favour could not but be agreeable to Warwick and his brothers, who began again to live in a friendly correfponce with Edward, until it was interrupted by an artifice of the mini- ftry, who dreaded the revival of that family's in- tereft. The king, while he refided at Langley in Hertfbrdfhire, was invited by the archbifhop of York to an entertainment, at his feat of More- park in that neighbourhood, and while the guefts were employed, according to the cuftom of the time, in warning hands before fupper, John Rat- cliffe, afterwards lord Fitzwalter, told the king pri- vately, that the archbifhop had afiembled an hun- dred men at arms, to feize and convey his majefty to the cattle of Middleham. Edward, alarmed at this intelligence, which was feigned for the purpofe, made a pretence to go out •, and mounting his horfe, rode at full fpeed to Windier. Such an abrupt re- treat 92 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A. c, 1470. treat was conftrued into a grofs affront by the arch - bifhop as well as by Warwick, and his fon in-law Clarence, who imagined it was a concerted fcheme to fix the imputation' of perfidy on them and their adherents : the former animofity was rekindled by this circumilance, and both fides reproached one another with great bitternefs. wmSlde. Cicely, dutchets of York, the king's mother, featedby endeavoured to effect a reconciliation, and they met s^"rd.at in her houfe of Baynard's cattle -, but their mutual jealoufy was too deeply fixed to be eradicated at this interview. Neverthelefs, Edward impowered Clarence and Warwick to array men in the counties of Warwick and Worcefter, in order to fupprefs an infurrection in Lincolnfhire, headed by Robert, the fon of Richard lord Willes, Sir Thomas Dy- mock, and Sir Thomas de la Launde. The pre- text for this commotion was the conduct of Sir Thomas Burgh, an officer of the king's houfhold, who had oppreffed the people ; though it afterwards appeared that Warwick and Clarence had inftigated the leaders to raife the difturbance. Edward fent for the lord Willes and Dymock to come to Lon- don, and give an account of the infurrection. They fet out accordingly ; but being informed on the road that the king was incenfed againft them as the authors of the rifing, they took refuge in the fan- ftuary at Weftminfler, from whence they were drawn by the king's promife of pardon ; and the lord Willes, by Edward's command, wrote a letter to his fon, defiring he would lay down his arms, and fubmit to the king's mercy. To this injun- ction, however, Robert payed no regard; and Ed- watd advajicing with an army againft him to Sta- niford, was fo incenfed at his obdinacy, that he ordered his father and Dymock to be beheaded. This act of barbarity enraged him to fuch a degree, that although his army confifted of raw, undifcip- lined E D W A R D IV. 95 lined troops, and he expefted to be joined by War- A- c. 14.70. wick and Clarence, who had already aflembled a ftrong body of forces, he refolved to revenge his father's death without delay, and attacked Edward with incredible fury, on the fourteenth day of March. The battle was maintained for fome time with equal refolution on both (ides : but, at length, the rebels were obliged to yield to the difcipline and valour of the royal army, and were defeated with great (laughter. Ten thoufand men are laid to have been flain in this engagement; and the gene- ral, with Sir Thomas de la Launde, being taken prifoners, were beheaded immediately after the action. Mean while Warwick and Clarence marched in • Thc dukc to Lancafhire, in hope of being reinforced by Tho- of cia.ence mas lord Stanley, who had married the earl's fitter ; ofwWwfefc and from thence they intended to .advance into are .Pr°- Yorkmire, where they expected to be joined by thofe traitors, infurgents who had rifen under Sir John Conyers. In order to facilitate that junction, they employed emiflaries to alarm them with reports that the king intended to revoke the pardon he had granted : they were tiifappointed however in both expectations. Stanley refufed to embark in their undertaking, and the king got the ftart of them in Yorkmire, where . he publilhed a proclamation confirming the former amnefty. The two chiefs, being thus difappointed, Rymer. retired to the weftern parts of England j and in jy.8' Ed* their route furprifed the earl of Rivers and lord claufe '°. Audeley, whom they confined in the cattle of War- dour, from whence they were afterwards refcued by John Thornhill, a gentleman of Dorfetfhire. While Clarence and Warwick were employed in Devon- fhire, in equipping a number of veflels to convey them and their families to Calais, Edward obliged Warwick's brother, John Nevil, to refign what he poflHFed of the Piercy eftate, with his patent for the honour 94 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A. c. 1470. honour of Northumberland, and, by way of re* compence, created him marquis of Montacute. In confequence of his refignation, Henry Piercy was declared earl of Northumberland, reftored to all his eftate, and appointed warden of the Eaft and Middle Marches towards Scotland. John Tiptot, earl of Worcefter, and conftable of England for life, was confdtuted lord lieutenant of Ireland, in the room of the duke of Clarence ; and a price fet upon the heads of that prince and his father-in-law the earl of Warwick. At the fame time the king publifhed a declaration, reprefenting that George duke of Clarence, and Richard earl of Warwick, had formed an unnatural defign to dethrone his majefty-, that they had encouraged Sir Robert Willes in his rebellion, with promife of fuccours, as appeared from the confeffion of the laid Sir Ro- bert and Sir Thomas de la Launde •, that the king had fummoned the duke and earl to his prefence, to clear themfelves of thofe accufations; but, in- ftead of obeying his order, they had marched into Lancafhire, in order to raife a greater number of forces, with which they hoped to execute their treacherous defigns : that, notwithflanding thefe repeated acts of rebellion, he was ftill willing to forgive them, on their fubmiffion, and giving fure- ties for their future behaviour •, and therefore fum- moned them to appear before him by the twenty- eighth day of March, on pain of being denounced rebels and traitors. As they paid no regard to this declaration, another was actually publifhed at Not- tingham, on the thirty-firft day of March, declar- ing them rebels and traitors : offering rewards for taking them, and prohibiting all perfons, on the ciaufe 10. fevereft penalties, from affiiting them and their Ed. iv. adherents. They retire That his brother and Warwick might not have time to affemble an army in the Weft, Edward marched E D W A R D IV. 95 marched thither with great expedition; and from A-c- 14;«' Exeter iffued commifiio,ns to the earl of Wilts, the lord Mountjoye, Sir John Fortefcue, and others, for arraying men in Devon and Cornwall : but be- fore thefe troops could be afiembled, Clarence and Warwick embarked at Dartmouth. When they attempted to enter the harbour of Calais, the can- non of the place began to play upon them •, fo that they were obliged to ftand out to fea-, and the dutchefs of Clarence falling in labour, was delivered of a fon named Edward, who was afterwards ea/1 of Warwick. The grandfather of the child was not a little mortified at this treatment from his own lieutenant Vaucler, a Gafcon, who was prevailed upon to confenc to the infant's being chriilened in the place, and found means to let the earl know the meaning of his unexpected behaviour. The ph5K? *• i • j j r f ' n i Cominej* place was not provided tor a fiege agamlr the power of Edward and the duke of Burgundy : the inha- bitants were apprehenfive of lofing their trade ; and the lord of Duras, who was Warwick's enemy, com- manded a good part of the .garrifon. Vaucler therefore advifed the earl to retire into France ; and depend upon his fidelity. Perhaps this Gafcon played a double g?.me, and refolved to declare for the ftrongeft : but in the mean time his behaviour was very agreeable to Edward, who gratified him with the government of the place ; while a penfion of a thoufand crowns was fettled on him by the duke of Burgundy. Warwick, being obliged to admit ©f his excules, failed for Normandy, and landed at Honfleur, where he was courteoufly received by the baftardof Bourbon, lieutenant-general of the pro- vince •, from thence he and his fon-in-law fet out for the court of France at Amboife, where he met with a very favourable reception. Lewis would not intermeddle in the affairs of England, while the crown was in difpute between Edward 96 HIS TOR Y OF EN GLAND. A. c.i47o. Edward and Henry: but now that Edv/ard had contracted luch a firm alliance with the duke of Bur- gundy, his intereft prompted him to effect the ruin of both, and his intereft on this occafion co-operated with his defire of revenging the affront he had re- ceived from Edward in the affair of the marriage. Befides, the fuccours which that monarch intended for the duke of Brittany, plainly demonftrated, that while he mould poffefs the throne of England, the princes of France would always have recourfe to his protection. All thefe confiderations concurred in favour of the Englifh fugitives, to whom he pro- Convention mifed a very powerful afMance. That the civil Wa'rw-ck war» which he hoped to kindle in England, might and Mar- rage with the greater violence, he refolved, if pof- |0au!tofAn fible> to reconcile Margaret of Anjou and War- wick ; and in the mean time fent for Margaret, who had retired to the habitation of her father. She looked upon Warwick as the author of all the mife- ries to which ihs and her family had been fubjeded ; and the mod rancorous and inveterate enmity fub- iifted between them : neverthelefs the accommoda- tion was eafily effected, becaule they flood in need of each other. Warwick wanted a pretext for de- throning Edward, and the moft plaufible he could ufe was the reiteration of Henry, which he could not undertake without the queen's concurrence. Margaret, on the other hand, faw no profpect of the re-eftablifliment of her family but in the afiif- tance of Warwick ; and therefore made no fcruple to afk the protection of her antient advcrfary. Lewis managed the treaty between them, which was con- cluded, on condition that the duke of Clarence and the earl of Warwick mould exert all their endea- vours for Henry's reiteration ; that the queen mould engage upon oath to leave the adminiftration in their hands, during the life of Henry, or the mi- nority of his fon, in cafe of his acceflion to the throne E D W A R D IV. 97 throne before he fliould be of age j and that the AiC- '47°- prince of Wales fliould marry Anne, the younger daughter of the earl of Warwick. This laft arci- cle was immediately executed •, fo that the earl of Warwick became equally allied to the houfes of Philip de York and Lancafter. Comines- The duke of Burgundy, being informed by his £ W A R D IV, 115 his march for London, at the head of feventeen thou- A- c- »47J» land men ; and on the fourteenth day of May en- tered the fuburbs of Southwark, but found himfelf excluded from London-bridge by the citizens, who had by this time received the news of the battle of Tewkefbury. He detached part of his army crofs the river, with orders to attack the city in three different places, while he himfelf mould ftorm the bridge ; and one of his detachments forced its way through Aldgate into the city, but was repulfed by the valour of alderman Robert Bafiet. This at- tempt mifcarrying, and the infurgents 'deferting their leader, in confequence of the difappointment, Thomas embarked on board of his mips at Black- wall, and failed round to Sandwich. Mean while Edward, returning to London with a body of three thoufand men, purfued him to the place of his re- treat, and reduced the town, after Nevii had made his efcape by fea j but he was afterwards taken and executed at Southampton. FaMa/i. This infurrection in all probability haftened the Death of death of the unfortunate Henry, who was found v'ig Hwty dead in the Tower, to which he had been confined fincethe reftoration of Edward. The greater part of hiftorians has alledged that he was affaflmated by the duke of Gloucefter, who was a prince of the moft brutal difpofition ; while fome moderns, from an affectation of fingularity, affirm that Henry died of grief and vexation. This, no doubt, might have been the cafe •, and it muft be owned that no- thing appears in hiftory, from which either Edward or Richard could be convicted of having contrived or perpetrated this murder : but at the fame time, we muft obferve fome concurring circumftances that amount to ftrong prefumptions againft the reigning monarch. Henry was of a hale conftitution, but juft turned of fifty, naturally infenfible of affliction, and hackneyed in the vicilfitudes of fortune •, fo I 2 due,. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. that one would not expect he fhould have died of a^e and infirmity, or that his life would have been affected by grief arifing from his laft difafter. His fudden death was fufpicious, as well as the con- juncture at which he died, immediately after the fuppreflion of a rebellion, which feemed to declare that Edward would never be quiet, while the head of the houfe of Lancafter remained alive : and laftly, the fufpicion is confirmed by the characters cf the reigning king and his brother Richard, who were bloody, barbarous, and unrelenting. Very differentVas the difpofition of the ill-fated Henry, who, without any princely virtue or qualification, was totally free from cruelty and revenge : on the contrary, he could not, without reluctance, confent to the punimment of thofe malefactors who were facrificed to the public fafety ; and frequently fuf- tained perfonal indignities of the grofleft nature, without difcovering the leaft mark of refentment. He was chafte, pious, companion ate, and charita- ble, and fo inoffenfive, that the bifhop, who was his confeflbr for ten years, declared, that in all that time he had never committed any fin that re- quirecj penance or rebuke. In a word, he would have adorned a cloifter, though he difgraced a crown ; and was rather refpectable for thofe vices he wanted, than for the virtues he poflefled. He founded the college of Eaton near Windfor, and King's college in Cambridge, for the reception of thofe fcholars who had begun their ftudies at Eaton. On the morning that fucceeded his death, his body was expofed in St. Paul's church, in order to pre- vent unfavourable conjectures, and next day lent by water to the abbey of Chertfey, where it was interred ; but it was afterwards removed, by order of Richard III. to Windfor, and there buried with, great funeral folemnity. Ed, EDWARD IV. 117 Edward being now firmly eftablifhed on theA'c-H7'- throne of England, afTembled on the third day of July, ten biftiops, five dukes, fix earls, fourteen barons, Sir William Courtenay, and ten other con- fiderable knights in the Parliament-Chamber, where they fwore they would maintain and fupport the fuc- cefiion of the crown in his family ; and took the oath of eventual allegiance to his fon Edward, whom he had juft created prince of Wales, duke of Cornwall, and earl of Chefter. The king granted a pardon to William Wainfleet bifhop of Winchefter, and feven other prelates who had been partifans of the houfe of Lancafter •, but George Nevil archbifhop of York, to whofe intereft his reftoration was in a great meafure owing, he fent into exile, and impri- foned in the caflle of Guifnes for feveral years, during which Edward enjoyed the revenues of his fee, after having feized all his other effe&s. The dignity of great chamberlain of England, vacant by the death of Warwick, was conferred upon Richard duke of Gloucefter, who afterwards re- figned it to Clarence, upon being promoted to the office of conftable. The government of Calais was beftowed upon Anthony Wideville earl of Ri- vers, the queen's brother : but the garrifon refufed to admit any perfon in that quality, except the lord Haftings, who was therefore appointed go- vernor; and Sir John Howard was nominated his deputy. The remaining part of the year was H[£" cioy- employed in negotiations with different potentates. land- The truce with Scotland had been frequently vio- Treaties lated during the troubles ; and as the fentiments of Wltil both kings were altogether pacific with refpeft to each other, a congrefs was opened at Alnewick, to adjuft and compromife all differences : the truce was confirmed, but the negotiation continued two years, during which the Englifh ambafiadors were inftru&ed to propofe a match between the Scottifh J 3 ten cowers ii& HISTORY OP ENGLAND. A, c. 1471. king and a princefs of England. On the thirtieth day of September, the truce for thirty years with Brittany was confirmed ; and another was con- cluded for eight months with Lewis XI. king of France, though Edward had very little reafon to be fatisfied with the conduct of that monarch : but his kingdom being quite exhaufted by the civil wars, he was not yet in a condition to execute the fchemes of his refentment. He did not, however, depend fo much upon thefe treaties, as to neglect the necef- fary means for putting his kingdom in a pofture of A.e. 1472. defence. He convoked a parliament, which mec on the fixth day of October, and obtained from the commons a fupply for the maintenance of thirteen thoufand archers, together with a tenth from the lords fpiritual and temporal. During this feffion, commifiioners were appointed to treat with the de- puties of the Hanfe towns, about renewing the an- tient league between England and that alliance, which had been violated by depredations in the courfe of the civil war. A difference of the fame nature with the Flemings was alfo accommodated i and the old confederacy with Portugal confirmed by letters patent* The earl «f While Edward thus endeavoured to ftrengthen mS an ^"1S t^irone w*tn &!&&* alliances, his tranquility was ™taempt"in a little invaded by the return of the earl of Oxford, wai». who ha(j retired to France after the battle of Tew- kesbury. This nobleman, meeting with a very cold reception from Lewis, afiembled about one hundred men of defperate fortunes, and landing at St. Michael's Mount in Cornwal, took the place by furprize. The king, alarmed at this exploit, ordered a detachment of troops to march again ft him before he fhould have time to form an army •, and being inverted, he furrendered on promife of life ; but he loft his liberty and eflate, which Ed- ward confifcated, without allowing the leaft trifle for the E D W A R D IV. n$ the fubfiftence of his countefs, who was filter to the A c> H7** earl of Warwick j and he himfelf was conveyed to the caftle of Hammes near Calais, where he remain- ed twelve years a prifoner. John Holland duke of Exeter, who had been left for dead on the field at Barnet, retired to the fancluary at Weftminfter ; and intreated his wife, who was Edward's fifter, to employ her good offices in his behalf: they had lived feparate fmce the beginning of the civil war. She was now fo far from befriending him with her brother, that me defired the fcparation might be confirmed by law •, and me obtained her requeft, although no fufficient caufe could be (hewn for fuch. confirmation. The duke, feeing himfelf precluded from all hope of pardon, and tired of living in con- finement on the charity of a few friends, quitted his afylum fo privately, that no perfon knew the time or manner of his retreat ; and in about two years after he difappeared, his body was found on the fea- fide in the county of Kent. This nobleman was the laft branch of the houfe of Lancafter that could give Edward any diflurbance, except the earl of Richmond, who refided at the court of Brittany with his uncle Pembroke ; and although thefe were in no condition to interrupt the quiet of his reign, he eagerly defired to have the young earl in his power. For this purpofe he fent ambafiadors to the duke of Bretagne, demanding they mould be deli^ vered up : but that prince would not fo far violate the laws of hofpitality, as to comply with his de- mand •, though he allured Edward he would keep them in fuch a manner, that they mould never dif- turb his government ; and in confederation of this promife the king payed a yearly penfion, on pre- tence of a maintenance for the two prifoners. The fears of Edward being appeafed by this convention, he teftified his gratitude to Lewis de Bruges lord of Gruthuyfen, by whom he had been fo hofpitably I 4 entertained 12© HISTORY OF ENGLAND, A. c. 1471. entertained in Holland, and created him a peer of England by the title of earl of Winchefter, after he *& P»b. j^ keen natLiraliZed by the parliament. The duke During thefe tranfaftions in England, Lewis XL of Burgundy of France underftanding that there was a treaty of Seel marriage on foot between his brother the duke of Guienne, and the daughter of Charles duke of Burgundy, refolved to prevent an alliance which muft have formed fuch an intimate connexion be- tween his own family and that houfe which he wanted to humble : he therefore caufed a dofe of flow poifon to be adminiftered to the duke of Guienne. In the mean time he concluded a truce for a whole year with the duke of Burgundy, who willingly agreed to the fufpenfion, as he had al- ready loft Amiens and St. Quintin by the war, which of himlelf he was not able to maintain. In a few weeks after the conclufion of this treaty the duke of Guienne died, and Lewis feized his dutchy without oppofition. Then the duke of Burgundy perceived that he had been duped by the French king, who had negotiated the truce, that he might be at liberty to execute his defign upon Guienne ; and he was fo inflamed with relentment at finding himfelf over-reached, that he entered France with an army, wafting the country with fire and fword. The duke of Brittany, whofe fchemes were fruftrated by the death of the duke of Guienne, refolved to join Burgundy in earneft, as the only means prac- ticable for their mutual prefervation ; but Lewis fuf- pecling that he would take this refolution, had al- ready ordered a body of troops to afiemble in An- jou, in order to overawe his conduct Mean while Charles made himfelf mafter of Nefle and Roye, and inverted Beauvais, which, however, he could not reduce. From thence he marched into Nor- mandy, in hope of being joined by the duke of Bretagne, who could not ftir from his own domi- nions * EDWARD IV. 121 nions ; though Lewis by keeping his army- in An- A. 0,1473. jou, left Normandy and Picardy at the mercy of the Burgundians. At length, however, the French king found means to make a feparate truce with Brittany •, and the duke of Burgundy finding him- felf abandoned by his ally, followed his example in concluding a truce with Lewis, which was frequent- ly prolonged. The fucceeding year is very barren of events in The parih- Engjand, where the parliament, which had been pro- menlpaflbs to , " • i i _, c r- i i an a E D W A R D IV. 125 to aflift each other in fuppreffing all rebellions. Ed- A-c- '474- ward having taken theie prudent precautions to Aft. Pub, fcreen his dominions from hoftile invafion, carried on his preparations with redoubled vigour ; and as the fubfidies granted by parliament would not an- fwer the expence of the expedition, he folicited a benevolence or free- gift from his fubjects, accord- ing to their abilities. This expedient fucceeded to 4>c* '4~5* his wifh. Some contributed with a good grace ; others were gained over by the eloquence and infinu- ation of Edward : the female fex exerted them- felves in favour of a prince whom they admired. Many individuals chole rather to part with their money, than run the rifque of incurring his indig- nation ; and a war with France was a very popular pretence at this juncture. The king did not fcruple to vifit particular perfons, and receive their affif- tance in perfon. Among others, he addrefied him- felf to a rich widow, who told him fhe could not help contributing twenty pounds to a handfome young prince who begged with fuch a good grace r Edward, in return for this compliment, approached, and kified her with great cordiality •, and Ihe was fo well pleafed with the unexpected honour, that fhe doubled her benevolence. Of the new levies three thoufand men were deftined for the fervice of the duke of Brittany, who, though he had changed his truce with Lewis into a perpetual peace, no fooner underftood that a league was formed by the king of England and the duke of Burgundy, than he pri- vately defired to be comprehended in the treaty ; and his requeft being granted, this body of troops, commanded by the lords Audley and De Duras, Rymer. was deftined for his defence. Edward having aflembled an army of fifteen hun- He lands dred men at arms, fifteen thoufand archers on Trmy!? horfeback, and a great number of infantry, ap- Cah«. pointed his fon Edward prince ef Wales, though an infant, !26 H is TO'R Y OF ENGLAND. *'c- 1475. infanr, guardian of the kingdom, and embarked at Sandwich for Calais, on the twentieth day of June i though he was fo ill provided with tran- fports, that he fpent three weeks in conveying his troops to the continent. On his arrival at Calais, he fent an herald to fummon Lewis to deliver up the crown and kingdom of France, which he ufurp- ed; and, in cafe of a refufal, to denounce war and vengeance. The French king having heard the he- rald's mefTage without emotion, replied, he was well informed, that Edward had not taken this vio- lent Hep of his own accord, but at the inftigation of the duke of Burgundy, and the conftable de St. Pol ; and, defired him to tell his mafter, that he would be deceived by both thefe allies. He afked feveral questions ; and by the herald's anfwers, un- derftood that the propereft perfons to whom he could addrefs himfelf, in cafe he fhould have ccca- fion to make propofals of peace, were the lords Ho- ward and Stanley : then he prefented the meflenger with three hundred crowns, and thirty yards of vel- vet for a robe, and difmiffed him with great cour • tefy. ISiS"b Mean while Edward advanced into Picardy, theltakeof where he expected to be joined by the duke of Bur- Burguudy. gUncly : but that prince, inilead of fulfilling his en- gagement with his ally, was ftill employed in the fiege of Nuys. He obftinately perfifted in that en- terprize, although the emperor had approached the place with an army four times as numerous as that which he commanded, and harrafled him in fuch a manner, that he could not proceed with his opera- tions ; at the fame time Sigifmund duke of Auftria made himfelf mafter of Feretti, the duke of Lor- rain ravaged Luxemburg, and his truce with France was no fooner expired, than Lewis reduced Roye, Corbie, and Montdidier. Notwithftanding all this oppofition, he would not raife the fiege until Ed- ward EDWARD IV, 127 ward threatened to renounce his alliance •, then he AtC- *+~* confented, that the place Ihould be delivered into the hands of the pope's legate, in order to be dif- pofed of according to the arbitration of his holinefs : but, when he railed the fiege, his army was in fuch a condition, that he was obliged to put the troops in quarters of refrefhment, while he himfelf fet out with a fmall body to excufe himfelf in perfon to Edward. The king of England could hardly digeft this conduct of his ally ; and began to perceive, that he had engaged in war for the intereft of ano- ther power, inftead of its being undertaken for the fupport of his -own pretenfions. He was flill more confirmed in this opinion, when he faw the duke of Burgundy would not fuffer his troops to enter Peronne, except in fmall unarmed companies ; and that the conftable of St. Pol refufed to deliver up St. Quintin, which he had promifed to put into the hands of Edward, as a pledge for his observance of the treaty. Edward rinding himfelf thus abandon- ed by the duke of Burgundy and the conftable, while the duke of Bretagne took no ftep towards the performance of articles, and the malcontents of France did not feem inclined to raife the leaft com- motion ; was equally mortified and perplexed in his refolution ; and heartily repented of having em- barked in the expedition. While he remained thus embarrafled in his Conclmjes „ thoughts, a French gentleman, who had been taken feparate prifoner, was releafed by his order ; and the lords %££'** Howard and Stanley defiring him to prefent their refpeds to the king of France, he complied with their defire. Lewis concluded from this compli- ment, that the court of England wanted to enter into a negotiation, but were unwilling to make the firft advance -, and as he himfelf had no fcruples cf that nature, he refolved to fpare Edward the confu- fion of foiliciting a treaty. He forthwith ordered a herafcra iz8 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A- c. 1475. head's coat to be mac|e for a man, with vvhofe dif- cretion and addrefs he was well acquainted ; and having inftructcd him for the purpofe, fent him to the Englifh army, to demand a fafe-conduct for the ambafTadors of France, that they might come and treat of a pacification. He addreflfed himfelf to the lords Howard and Stanley ; and they intro- duced him to the king, who received his mefiage in good part, granted the fafe-conduct which he de- manded, and difmified him with a confiderable pre- fent. The lord Stanley, and two other noblemen, were appointed as plenipotentiaries to treat with the French ambafiadors, in the neighbourhood of Amiens, between the two armies ; and, on the twenty-eighth day of Auguft, the peace was con- cluded, on condition, That Lewis mould pay feven- ty-five thoufand crowns, to indemnify Edward for the expence of the armament ; on the receipt of which, the king of England mould immediately retire with his forces : That Lewis mould likewife grant him an annuity of fifty thoufand crowns : That the dauphin of France mould marry the princefs Elizabeth, daughter of Edward, and fettle fixty thoufand livres a year upon her as a jointure : and, That neither party fhould encourage civil wars in the other's kingdom ; but that both mould affift each other in fupprefling the rebellion of their Comines. fubjects. On this occafion it was alfo agreed, That Rjnwr. Margaret of Anjou mould be fet at liberty for the ranfom of fifty thoufand crowns, which Lewis pay- ed, on her father's engaging to convey to him and his heirs the fucceffion of Provence and Anjou, which he inherited as the defcendant of Beatrix, daughter of Raymund Berenger II. count of Pro- vence. The duke of Burgundy no fooner underftood that a treaty was on the carpet, between Lewis and Ed- ward, than he repaired to the EngUfh army, in or- der ew een th E D W A R D IV. 129 der to prevent its taking cffeft ; bur, before he af A-c-H7j, rived, the peace was ratified, and Edward gave jntcrv;e him to underftand, that he might, if he would, be betw comprehended in the treaty, together with his other allies, the duke of Brstagne and the conftable. Charles was fo incenfed at this accommodation, that he rejected Edward's offer with difdaln, and return- ed to his own country glowing with reftrntment againft the king of England. The conftable exert- ed all his endeavours in perfuading Edward to re- nounce the treaty. He even offered to deliver St. Quincin into his hands, and accommodate him with the loan of fifty thoufand crowns • but the Englifh monarch was not fo weak as to recommence the war upon the promifes of a perfon whom he had great reafon to fufpect of infmcerity. Before his return to England, he and Lewis agreed to have an interview on the bridge of Pequigny, with a barrier between them. The French king was ac- companied by the cardinal of Bourbon, and five other noblemen, and Edward was attended by fome of the Englilh ncbiliry. After they had ratified the treaty upon oath, Lewis invited Edward to Pa- ris, where he faid the ladies would endeavour to entertain him agreeably, and Ihould he be tempted to commit any piccadillo, he fhould have for his confeffor the cardinal of Bourbon, who would not be very rigid in point of penance. The two kings rallied one another v/ith great good humour, until Lewis made a fignal for his attendants to withdraw : the Englifh likewife retired on their fide, and their mafters conferred together a confiderable time ; their converfation turned upon the duke of Bur- gundy, Bretagne, and the conftable. Lewis defiring to know the fentiments of Edward touching thefe three allies ; the king of England told him, than if the duke of Burgundy and the conftable mould refufe to be comprehended in the treaty, the king N°- 43. K of HISTORYoF ENGLAND. '475- of France might act towards them according to his own pleafure -, but, that fhould the duke of Brittany be attacked, he would aflift him with all his power. The tendernefs which Edward expreffed for that prince, proceeded from his having in his power the ible remaining branch of the houfe of Lancafter, by \vhofe means he could at any time have raifed com- motions in England ; and therefore Edward thought proper to cultivate the duke's friendship. Lewis did not prefs him upon this fubj,ect ; and the two kings parted very well fatisfied with each other. The French king repaired to Amiens, accom- panied by the lord Howard, who remained as hof- tage for Edward's performance of articles ; and this nobleman, while the king waihed his hands, gave his majefty to underftand, that Edward was not averfe to an excurfion to Paris. Lewis made no reply to this infinuation, until it was repeated ; and then he faid, that the war in which he was engaged with the duke of Burgundy would not permit him to go to Paris; and therefore he was forry he could not have the honour of receiving the vifit of the king of England. He dreaded nothing Ib much as Edward's taking a liking to France ; and, above all things, wifhed he would return to his own kingdom. He was fo apprehenfive of his retracting his engagements that he diftributed con- fiderable penfions among the principal members of Edward's council, that they might ufe their influence in preventing an infraction of the truce. The Eng- lifh army approaching Amiens, he ordered the gates to be thrown open, and all the inn-keepers of the place to treat the foldiers at hisexpence; nay, he lent three hundred waggon loads of wine to Ed- ward's camp, as a prelent to the army. All this generofity and compliment was the effect of fear, from which he was at length delivered by the de- parture of the Englifh, who returned to their own country, E D W A R D IV. ijt country, extremely well pleafed with their enter- A-c-'47*- tainmenc. The duke of Burgundy, when his choler fubfided, accepted a feparate truce, which was of- fered to him by Lewis : and the conftable feeing himfelf deferted by his allies, retired into the duke's dominions, on the faith of a fafe condudt : not- withftanding which, he was delivered up to Lewis, Com'nes. who ordered him to be beheaded as a traitor. Edward, hoping, that the friendmip he had ex- ^warden. r *D* deavours to prefled for the duke of Brittany, would render that gettheeari prince more propitious to his great aim of getting £f0^"^ the earl of Richmond into his hands, fent ambaf- his hands. fadors to his court, on pretence of renewing the truce, which was confirmed without difficulty •, and this affair being tranfa&ed, they proceeded to un- fold the real defign of their embafTy. They told him, that the king their mafter was extremely defi- rous of extinguifhing the embers ofthofe factions which had raged with fuch violence in England : that the earl of Richmond being the only furviving prince of the houfe of Lancafter, his intention was, to match him with one of his own daughters, that the two houfes might be united by fuch an alliance : he therefore hoped the duke of Brittany would give up the earl, that he might diftinguifh him by marks of his bounty, and convince the world of his extreme defire to eftablifh the peace and tranquility of his kingdom. The duke of Brittany, either be- lieving Edward fincere in his profeffions, or con- vinced by the prefent of a large fum of money, ordered the young earl, and his uncle Pembroke, to be put into the hands of the ambaffadors, who im- mediately fet out with their prize for St. Malo, in order to embark for England. Before they reach- ed that port, however, the duke changed his mind, either through remorfe, or fufpicion of Edward's intent : and forthwith dilpatched his favourite Peter Landais to St. Malo, to reclaim the refugees. He K 2 arrived 132 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A.C. 1476, arrived juft as they were going to embark, and gave fuch directions to the people who attended him, that while he amufed the ambafladors, the earl of Rich- mond, and his uncle Pembroke, found means to efcape, and take fanctuary in a church, from whence Landais would not fuffer them to be taken. The ambaffadors loudly complained of this artifice j and he made fome frivolous apologies, which they v/ould by no means admit : then he frankly told them, that the duke his mailer having reflected on the fubjeft, thought he could not deliver up his guefls without trefpaffing againft the laws of ho- nour and hofpitality ; but, he allured them the two earls mould be guarded in fuch a manner as would effectually prevent them from interrupting the peace of England. Charles Immediately after the duke of Burgundy had Bur'und' figned the truce with Lewis, he marched againft the is routed duke of Lorrain, and fubdued his whole country, Na^in3* witnout having met with any eonfiderable refiftance : Lorrain. then he propoled a fcheme for humbling the Swifs, who had declared againft him while he was em- ployed in the fiege of Nuys j and the pretext he ufed for denouncing war againft them, was, the injury they had done to Jaques de Savoy, count: de Romont, whom they had expelled from his ter- ritories. The Swifs, terrified at the impending, ftorm, foliated peace with great fubmiffion : but he remained inexorable ; and marching from Lor- rain through Burgundy, entered the country of Vaux, in which he took three or four places with- out difficulty. Then he invefted Granfon, which was garrifoned by eight hundred Swils, who made a very gallant defence. At length they were obliged to fubmit, and the duke ordered them to be put to the fword, in contempt of the capitulation. Hear- ing that another body was on the march to their relief, he advanced againft them with his whole army.. EDWARD IV. 133 army, and detached an hundred archers on horfc- A- c- *476 back, to take pofTeffion of a defile in the mountains, through which the Swifs were obliged to pafs, in their route to the open country. Thefe archers, being encountered by the enemy, retreated with precipitation towards the army, which, on the fup- pofition of their being purfued by the Swifs, was leized with fuch a pannic that it fled in the utmoft confufion, in fpite of all the efforts of the duke ; who though he loft but feven men at arms on this occafion, was obliged to leave all his baggage in the hands of the enemy. Yet far from being dif- couraged by this accident, he re-aflembled his troops; and in fifteen days inverted Morat, a fmall town in the neighbourhood of Berne. Mean while the Swifs, having received reinforcements from feveral princes, began their march to the number of thirty thou- fand men ; and, giving the duke battle, he was en- tirely defeated with great (laughter. He was fo mocked at this overthrow, that he fell fick of grief and mortification, and kept himfdf concealed in a village called La Riviere, for fix weeks, during which, he refuled all confolation : and now divers princes, who had been formerly his friends, re- nounced his alliance, and joined his enemies. The duke of Lorrain feized this opportunity of inverting Nanci, and gained the place by compofition, before the duke of Burgundy took any ftep towards its relief j but after it had furrendered, that prince ap- proached with his army, and, the enemy retiring, he undertook the fiege, which was the caufe of his ruin. The duke of Lorrain, having received rein- forcements from different quarters, and affembled a ftrong army, by means of a confiderable fum of money, with which he was furnimed by the French king, advanced towards Nanci, and encamped at St. Nicholas, in order to fee the effect of a corref- pondence which he maintained with a Neapolitan K 3 officer, 134 H I S T O R Y o F E N G L A N D. *-c- 1477. officer, called Campo Baflb, who enjoyed the confi- dence of the duke of Burgundy. The town was al- ready reduced to extremity, when that prince drew up his army in order of battle ; and then Campo BaiTo deferted to the enemy with two hundred men at arms, leaving fourteen accomplices, whom he had inftru&ed to infe<5t the Burgundians with a pan- nic j and to flay the duke during the engagement, fhould they find an opportunity. The battle was fought on the fifth day of January, when the duke of Burgundy was routed and flain, in the forty- fixth year of his age, after having reigned nine years and a half, in continual agitation, endeavour- Ccrcir.-s *n3 to execute plans which were projected by the moil extravagant and prefumptuous ambition. His daugh- xhe death of this imperious prince produced ter Mary . t • i rr • r i T ir, mamed great changes not only in the affairs or the Lou/ to the arch- Countries, but even in thofe of all the nriehbour- duke Maxi- . . ,,,ri i i 1 1 t ing princes. He left but one daughter, called Mary, heirefs of his entenfive dominions, whom he intended to match with Maximilian of Auftria, fon of Frederic emperor of Germany. The princefs, who was nineteen years of age, fucceeded to her father at a time when her family was deferted by al| its antient friends ; fo that ilie was expofed in a pe- culiar manner to the avarice of Lewis VI. who forthwith feized Burgundy, and the towns fituated upon the Somme ; and formed a fcheme for de- priving her of all the reft of her dominions. In this diftrefs fhe implored the affiftance of England, whofe intereft it was to oppofe the projefts of the French king j but that prince had corrupted the whole council of Edward, who could afford nothing in behalf of Mary but unavailing compliments ; and what completed the misfortune of this orphan princefs, was the rebellion of the inhabitants of Ghent, who feized and confined her perfon, be- headed two pf her counfellors, and forced upon her; a new E D W A R D IV. 135 a new council compofed of their creatures. Seve- A- c- '177. ral princes, allured by this noble inheritance, re- folved to demand Mary in marriage. The dauphin of France hankered* after this match ; but Lewis had already entered into engagements with Edward, whom he did not choofe todifoblige at fuch a junc- ture. The duKe of Guelderland and divers Ger- man princes afpired at this alliance; and in the month of May the emperor fent ambaflfadors to Ghent, to renew the negotiation for a match be- tween the princefs and his fon Maximilian . The dutchefs dowager defired her brother the king of England, to fend envoys to Flanders, to affift her in negotiating this affair, and fo far he complied with her requeft ; but he could not be perfuaded to afiift Mary againft the French king, who flill continued extending his conqueft at her expencc ; on the con- trary, Edward prolonged the truce of Amiens, from the term of feven years till one year after the death of either party, acting diametrically oppofite to the intereft of England, in conniving at the ruin of the houfe of Burgundy, to aggrandize the power of Lewis. But by this time Edward was grown Rymer> corpulent, and unfit for carrying on a war in per- fon : he was diffuaded from engaging in behalf of Mary by his counfellors, who were penfioners of France ; and he was extremely unwilling to take any ftep which might obftruct the marriage between the dauphin and his daughter Elizabeth ; befides, Lewis was very punctual in the payment of the fifty thoufand crowns -, a gratuity which he was very loth to forego. Mary of Burgundy, being thus abandoned by all thofe from whom me had reafon to expect effectual afiiftance, confented to wed Maxi- milian, though (he knew he was in no condition to defend her territories. The marriage was celebrated in July ; and Lewis, in token of his regard for the emperor, not only granted a truce of one year to the K 4 new 136 HISTORY OF ENGL'AND. A. c. i477. new duke of Burgundy, but alfo reftored fome places Mazer*;, which he had reduced in Hainault. Edward be- Edward, now being at peace with all his neigh- E^nd"10' bours, and his kingdom enjoying the moft profound avaritious. tranquillity, applied himfelf to the adminiftration of juftice, and made a circuit through his dominions to clear the roads of robbers, by which they had been grievoufly infefled fince he difbanded his army. He exerted himfelf on this occafion with equal vi- gilance and impartiality, punifhing the offenders without refpect of perfons, and even facriflcing his own fervants to the good of the public, when they were convicted of delinquency. This expedition was neceffary to hum the clamours of the people, who had begun to complain loudly of. the ex- pence to which they were expofed by the laft fruit- lefs armament : and Edward was fo alarmed at their murmurs, that he would not venture to afk further fupplies from his parliament. He therefore had re- courfe to other methods for filling his exhaufted ex- chequer : he engaged in commerce, which he car- ried on to a great extent, as a private adventurer; he fold the profits of vacant prelacies ; exacted fines for the reftitwion of temporalities : he fearched into offices of record to find out defective titles to lands, and compelled the proprietors by irregular profecu- tions to pay large fums for their confirmation. He Jikewife laid frequent impofitions on the clergy, and became totally infected with the vice of avarice : though yet flill part of his time was expended in the moft effeminate amufements, A c. 1478. The adminiftration was wholly engrofled by the >\n'mo% queen and her relations, who rendered themlelves duk""? a* odious to the nation not only by their infatiable icnce and ^ third of power, but alfo by their inlblent demeanour, Kinder" ° and the pride they Deemed to take in flighting and Haivn-tm. thwarting the fthemes of the king's brothers. Eiofuii. Kichard duke of Gknicefter, who was naturally clofe, E D W A R D IV. 137 clofe, referved, and confiderate, diffembled his re- A- c< *w*- fentment in fuch a manner, as prevented an open rupture between him and the miniftry ; but George duke of Clarence, a weak prince, of great pride, ambition, and impetuofity, could not iupprefs his indignation, which broke out with great indecency on all occafions. While Edward lived in celibacy he had flattered himfelf with the hope of fucceeding to the throne of England ; and was fo extremely mor- tified at his marriage, that he had never loved his brother heartily fince the event : he hated the queen for the fame reafon, and his rancour extended to her whole family. This animofity was increafed by their grafping at all the power of the admini- ftration, and interfering with him in the fchemes he had formed for his own advantage. By the act of refumption they had deprived him of the honour of Tutbury, and many other lands which he had en- joyed by the king's donation. His dutchefs dying, immediately before the death of Charles duke of Burgundy, he folicited the good offices of his filter Margaret, widow of that prince, to effect a match between him and her ftep-daughter, the princefs Mary. This would have been a very advantageous alliance for England; and the dutchefs dowager, who loved Clarence above all her brothers, enga- ged fo heartily in his intereft, that in all probability the fcheme would have fucceeded, had it not been induflrioufly obftructed by the intrigues of Edward, who was either jealous of his brother's accefllon to fuch power, or influenced by the queen, who wanted to procure this match for her brother An- thony Wideville, earl of Rivers. Such a difappointment could not fail to inflame The duke the hatred of Clarence, who exclaimed againft the jshefx^er king with great virulence; and his difcontent was encouraged and fomented by the cunning infmua- tions of Richard duke of Gioucefter. This prince had 38 . HISTORY OP ENGLAND. c. 147?. had already formed a defign upon the crown, which could not fucceed fo long as Clarence flood between him and the fuccefiion : he therefore refolved to ef- fect his ruin, as the prelude to that ufurpation which he knew the infant children of Edward would not be able to prevent. With this view he artfully exafperated the refentment of Clarence againft the king, until he uttered fome rafli menaces and impre- cations -, and thefe he afterwards repeated with ex- aggerations to Edward, on pretence of cautioning him againft the other's treasonable defigns. The queen and her kindred, who hated Clarence, rein- forced the iuggeftions of Richard : fo that Edward looked upon his brother George as a traitor, who formed fchemes againft his life. This fufpicion pro- duced a coldnefs and difguft towards Clarence, who was more and more incenfed at the king's neglect and fullen behaviour. He became louder in his complaints ; and the miniftry refolved to take the firft opportunity to accomplifh his destruction. In order to provoke him to Ibme act of indifcretion that would furnifh a handle for his ruin, they at- tacked him in his favourites and confidents, againft whom they trumped up ridiculous accufations. John Stacy, a learned clergyman, and noted aftronomer, was charged with the exercife of necromancy ; and Thomas Burdet, of Arrow, in Warwickfhire, a gentleman of unblemiihed character, was arrefted as his accomplice, as well as on account of his having curfed the king, who had killed a favourite white hind in one of his enclosures. They were tried for thefe crimes in the King's bench at Weftminfter; and, being found guilty, executed at Tyburn ; where both protefted their innocence with great fpi- rit and conftancy. Clarence, enraged at this fa- crificeof his friends, went next day to the council- chamber at Weftminfter, and produced to the fit- ting lords the private confeilicn and public declara- tion EDWARD IV. 139 tion of thofe innocent victims. Fie could not he!pA -c-i47- on this occafion exprefiing himfelf in terms of acri- mony againft the king, to whom they were repeated by fome courtier. Edward was fo incenfed at his prefumption, that in the firft tranfport of his paffion he repaired from Windibr to Weflminfter, and fummoned Clarence to appear before the council. There he upbraided the duke with his infolence in prefuming to arraign thejuftice of the courts of law ; he faid his behaviour implied a dcfign to intimidate the judges and juries of the realm, as well as an infult on the royal authority : he repeated all the malicious ftories that had been told to his preju- dice j reviled him as an ungrateful traitor ; and fign- ed a warrant for committing him prifoner to the Tower. A parliament meeting at Weftminfter, on the £°nnd^ned'' fixteenth day of January, He,nry duke of Bucking- and private*. ham was appointed high fteward of England, to^a^tto prefide at the trial of Clarence, whofe impeachment was digefted into eight articles ; importing, That by his fcditious difcourfe he had endeavoured to pre- judice the king in the minds of his fubjects, accufing -his majefty of having put Burdet unjuftfy to death : That he had fuborned his domeftics and others to fpread this falfe report : That he had accufed the king of necromancy, of having deftroyed by poifon divers innocent perfons, whofe lives could not be af- fected by any juridical procefs : That he had affirmed the king was not the fon of his reputed father, but a bailard, begotten by another man, whom the dutchefs of York admitted to her embraces : That Clarence from this circumftance arrogating to him- felf a right to the crown, had demonlhated hisde- fign of feizing it, by exacting from feveral perfons an oath to ferve him againft all mankind, not even, excepting his fovereign : That- he had accufed the King of ufmg witchcraft to deprive hjm of his life: and, 40 H I S T O R Y o F E N G L A N D. - ^.473. an(j, That he had plainly betrayed a defign to de- throne the king, in taking an exemplification of the a<5t of parliament paffed during the ufurpation of Warwick, by which the crown was fettled upon Clarence, in default of Henry VI. and the male lilue of his body. The duke denied every part of the charge, and offered to prove his innocence in Tingle combat •, but Edward himfelf being his ac- euler, and declaring himfelf well fatisfied and con- vinced of the truth of the impeachment, no evidence was examined, and no member prefumed to fpeak in behalf of this unfortunate prince, who was there- fore pronounced guilty of the charge, and con- demned to die as a traitor. The fentence was not immediately executed; and in all probability his life would have been fpared, had not the king's in- dignation been kept up by the artful intrigues of the queen and Gloucefter, and his apprehenfion aroufed by a ridiculous prophecy ; implying, that the name of his fucceffor fhould begin with a G, which was applied to George duke of Clarence. Neverthelefs the minifrry would not venture to exe- cute the fentence v/ithout fome further pretext, which, in order to procure, they employed one Ro ger Twynho, to prefent a petition to the houfe of commons againft the duke of Clarence, for having fuborned a jury to give a falfe verdict againft his kinfwoman Ankeret, late wife of William Twynho, efquire, whom he charged with having poifoned his dutchefs ; in confequence of v/hich verdict the faid Ankeret had furTered an ignominious death. The parliament having confidered the merits of this pe- tition, annulled the procefs, as having been unjuftly carried on by the influence of the duke of Clarence ; and petitioned that the fentence againft that prince might be executed without further delay. Even then they were afraid to run the rifque of popular refcntmem by a public execution ; but he was im- mediately E D W A R D IV. 141 mediately difpatched in the Tower, having, ac- A*c- H?*- cording to fome hiftorians, been drowned in a butt of malmfey. Such was the end of George duke of Clarence, who left one fon called Edward earl of Warwick, and a daughter who was afterwards countefs of Salisbury. The duke's death excited fuch a clamour among the populace, that the court thought proper to conceal the manner of his execu- tion, and gave out that he had died fnddenly of grief and vexation : to convince the world that no violence had been ufed, his body was expofed in St. Paul's church -, but this expedient was fo dale, that it ferved only to confirm the conjectures of the people, who did not fcruple to exclaim with great vehemence againft the barbarity of the adminiftra- During thefe tranfactions, the truce between Lewis xt. Lewis and Maximilian expiring, this laft invaded J^^Sf Burgundy, where he made himfelf mafter of feve- treaties «f ral places with great facility, on account of the af- "^La" fection of the inhabitants for the houfe of Bur- gundy -, and in all probability he would have re- covered the whole dutchy, had he been properly fupplied by his father. Lewis was not fo much afraid of any affiftance he might receive from the emperor, as of his engaging in alliance with Edward, which he employed all his arts to prevent. In the month of July he fent a plenipotentiary to London, to prolong the truce for an hundred years after the death of either party * and to engage for the an- nual payment of the fifty thoufand crowns, while that treaty mould remain in force. As the term which had been affixed for adjufling all differences between the two crowns was expired, the ambafla- dor was likewife impowered to prolong it for three years ; and Edward, appointing commiffioners to treat with this envoy, the propofals of Lewis were embraced without hefitation, though the treaty was not i 14* HISTORYopENGLAND. A.C. r478. not- concluded till the month of February in the following year. Edward would have willingly feen the confummation of the marriage-contract between the dauphin and his daughter Elizabeth, before the other tranfaction fhculd be ft nifhed, and fent.two am- baffadors to France to conclude that affair : but, by this time Lewis had fome other match in view for the dauphin, and, as that prince was not yet eight years of age, he found an excu fe for delaying the affiancing ceremony. Yet, that Edward might not be cha- grined at this procrafrination, he payed part of the raniom of Margaret of Anjou, which he had enga- ged to liquidate at different terms -, and fent the bi- ihop of Elna to London to offer fecurky for the payment of the fifty thoufand crowns, for the long term to which the treaty had been lately extended. The fecurity which the prelate offered was the oath of Lewis, together with the bonds of the bank of Medicis, and letters patent confirmed by the eftates of France and the papal authority, denouncing ex- communication in cafe of failure. Edward's con- duel: was now wholly influenced by Lewis, or ra- ther by his own minifters, whom that prince had corrupted. The French king, not contented with having diverted him from affifting the dutchefs of Burgundy, propofed that they fhould mare between them the dominions of that princefs ; and that Ed- ward fhould have Flanders and Brabant. The pro- pofal was accepted, on condition, that in exchange for thefe countries Lewis fhould cede Boulogne and fome ocher places in Picardy to the king of Eng- land. This was an article, however, which the French king would never have performed •, and in- deed his defign in propofmg this partition was to amufe Edward, and engage him in a war with Maximilian, who might other wife have brought him over to his intereit : but the Englifti monarch was grown too indolent to undertake any enterprizs that EDWARD IV. 143 that required perfonal activity * and he exerted him- A-c- H?8. felf in nothing but in negotiations with foreign princes, whofe friendlhip might fecure his tran- quillity. The treaty with Denmark having been violated *.c. 1479, in feveral refpefts, was now renewed and confirmed; and the two kings agreed that a congrefs mould be held at Hamburgh, to terminate all differences in an amicable manner. Notwithstanding the pacifi- cation with France, Edward agreed to a propofal of Maximilian, importing, That his infant Ion Phi- lip mould marry Anne, the third daughter of the king of England ; and this convention was ratified by letters patent on both fides, in which the two princes engaged, that for the fpace of three years they mould not, without the conient of each other, beftow their refpective children in marriage. At the fame time Edward projected another match be- tween his fourth daughter Catherine, and John in- fant of Caftile and Arragon, fon of Ferdinand and Ifabella ; and fent ambaflfadors to Spain to manage the negotiation, which however, proved ineffectual. Tired at length of the delays which retarded the mar- riage of his eldeft daughter, he appointed lord How- ard, and Thomas Langton, treasurer of the church of Exeter, as ambafladors extraordinary to demand of Lewis in a peremptory manner the performance of his promife ; an-d that prince with all his cun- ning, found it difficult to elude the prefling inftances of thefe envoys. He had already deftined the dau- phin for the princefs Margaret, the new-born daughter of Maximilian j but he did not think proper to avow his defign, until he mould be in a condition to baffle the refentment of Edward. In Aft> p^. the mean time he flill practifed his difiimulation •, and, as the lord Howard was in his intereft, found means to evade the purport of the ernbalTy with general promifes, and the punctual payment of the annuity. 144 HISTORY or ENGLAND. A-c- '479- annuity. Bur, forefeeing that he mould not be inflates able to amufe Edward much longer, he refolved to James III. 11- •• j-rr r> t • if Scotland employ his attention in a different manner. By his to break the ambaflador in Scotland he perfuaded James III. to truce with , 1t • i •»-• t i i • ^ » » Edward. break, the truce with England, and invade the ter- ritories of Edward. tje found no difficulty in this negotiation, as James was wholly governed by three venal upftarts, whom he had raifed from the dull, in contempt of his antient nobility, who were ex- tremely incenfed at his conduct. Thefe" mimfters being bribed with French gold, perfuaded their mafter to enter into the views cf Lewis ; and he began to make preparations which plainly indicated a defign againft England. wSiyEd- Edward perceived his drift, and iffued orders for \vardand levying an army for the defence of the kingdom ; j^ximi~ and now for the firft time began to open his eyes to the perfidy and diffimulation of Lewis, againft whom he vowed vengeance : but in the mean time he determined to combat him with his own weapons A. 0.1480. of fraucj ancj artifice. He renewed and confirmed the treaty of alliance which had fubfifted between him and the late duke of Burgundy ; and engaged to furnifh Maximilian and Mary with a reinforce- ment of fix thoufand men ; while the archduke obliged himfelf to pay fifty thoufand crowns yearly to Edward, in cafe Lewis mould withdraw his pen- fion. The marriage-contract between young Phi- lip and the princefs Anne of England was concluded, on condition that the nuptials mould be folemnized as foon as the parties mould be marriageable j and that Edward fliould beftow one hundred thoufand crowns as a dowager upon his daughter. The king likewife promifed to mediate a truce between Lewis and Maximilian ; to offer his own arbitration for ter- minating their quarrel ; and mould that be refufed, to declare war againft the French monarch. This treaty E D W A R £> IV. 145 treaty being ratified, hefent a new embafiy to France, A c- "»8o> to prefs the accomplifhmant of the marriage be- tween the dauphin and his daughter Elizabeth; and Lewis ftill declining the performance of that con- tract under various pretences, he ordered a fleet to be equipped, and fent it under the command of John Middleton to the arTiftance of his new allies. Hia next care was to fecure his frontiers from the irrup- tion of the Scots, and to employ certain emiffaries to conclude an alliance in his name with the earl of Rofs lord of the Ides, who engaged to make a diverfion in his favour, fhould James attempt to invade England. That prince, though hated by A.C. 14814 his nobility and people, found means to affemble a body of forces, which entered England and com- mitted fome ravages, before Edward's army was levied : but they loon returned without having at- tempted any thing of confequence. The king of England was not very eager to Edward en- march againft this enemy, becaufe he maintained a?ii"^!*n a correfpondence with the Scottifh nobility, and w"hthe knew that James would foon find it necefiary to Bmlgne, liften to terms of accommodation. This Edward paffionately defired, that he might be more at li- berty to profecute his revenge againft Lewis ; for which purpofe he renewed his alliance with the duke of.Brittany, and ratified a contract of marriage be- tween the prince of Wales and Anne elded daugh- ter of that duke. The treaty imported, that the prince fhould marry, in cafe of her death before con- fummation, her younger fifter Ifabel, on condition, that of the male children of the marriage, the fe~ cond fhould fucceed to the dutchy of Brecagnc ; that if a fon fhould be born to the duke in wed- lock, he fhould efpoufe one of Edward's daughters -, that in cafe of war between the French king and the duke, Edward fhould aflift the latter with three thoufand auxiliaries •, and that the duke fhould fup- NUMB. XLIV, L ply i±6 , HISTORYorENGLAND. A.C. 14.82, ply him with the fame number in the like circurn- Rymer. ftanCCS. A private Immediately after this tranfadion, Alexander Skeof duke of Alban>% brother of James king of Scot- Albany, land, efcaped from a caftle in which he had been VjJJjfjJn imprifoned at the i alligation of the minifcry \ and of Scotland, repairing to London, implored the protection of Edward. His brother John had already fallen a facrifice to the jealous tyranny of James-, and he himtelf was to provoked by the danger and diftrefles he had undergone, that he breathed nothing but vengeance againft his fovereign. He was cordially received by the king of England, who not only prom i fed to gratify his revenge, but alfo flattered his ambition by undertaking to raife him to the throne of Scotland. A private treaty was concluded between them ; in which Alexander afTumed the title of king of Scotland, and promifed to do ho- mage to England for his crown. He likewife en- gaged to break the antient alliance between France and Scotland, and aflbciate with Edward againft Lewis i to furrender Berwick to England -„ to efpoufe Edward's daughter Cecilia, already affianced to the prince of Scotland, provided he could obtain a di- vorce from his prefent wife ; but fliould that be found impracticable, to match his ion with fome Burner. princefs of the royal family of England. This treaty being ratified, Edward fent an army againd Scotland, under the command of his brother Glou- cefter, whom the duke of Albany accompanied -r and a fleet was ordered to attend his motions, un- der the conducl of Robert Radcliff. TJ>e scot- xhe Scottifh monarch, finding himfelf un-able to men put to refift fuch.an armament, fummoned his nobility to kin'Vihree attend ^im w^^ l^tlT v^^ » and they aflembled fvlZitcs. accordingly at the place of rendezvous, called Lau- der, not far from Edinburgh, There finding them - ielves neglected as ufual^ and even excluded from the EDWARD IV. the king's prefence by his three upftart favourites, A-c- who had rendered themfelves odious to the whole nation, they -were fo exafperated, that they held a confuhation, to deliberate upon means for removing thefe evil counfellors •, and refolved to facrifke rhem to the public good without further delay. This refolution being taken, they feized the three delin- quents in the king's chamber, to which they had fled for refuge, and dragging them to the bridge of Lauder, hanged them in fight of the whole army. James, terrified at this execution, promifed to reform his conduct 5 but in a few days retired to the caftle of Edinburgh : and the army being left without a chiefj the nobles returned to their own habitations* Mean while the duke of Gloucefter, having ffce taken the town of Berwick^ and hfi forne troops Gj to befiege the caftle, advanced without oppofition idi to the city of Edinburgh, which he entered in triumph, and exprefled a defire of having a con- ference with James ; but this prince declining the interview, the duke publifhed a proclamation by- found of trumpet, importing, that it the king of Scotland mould not before the month of Septem- ber fulfil his engagements, he would lay waite the country with fire and fword. Thtie engagements were the obfervation of the truce^ and the reftitu-- tion of the money which he had received as part of the dower of the princefs Ceciiia, betrothed to the prince of Scotland; and to thefe, Gloucefter ad- ded the re-eftabliihment of the duke of Albany in the poflefiion of his eftate and offices. James made no reply to this proclamation ; but the nobility* reaffcmblirig at Haddington, lent deputies to aflure the duke of Gloucefter, that they wifhed for no- thing more ardently, than for the accompliilimenS of the marriage between young Jam-s and the prin- cefs Cecilia j and that it was net their fault if tbtf L a tr«iC « HISTORY OF E N G LAN D. . c. .482. trucc was not exactly obferved. This mefiuge pro1- uchanan, ducecl a. negotiation between Richard and the Scot- tifh nobility, managed by the duke of Albany -, andV after feme difputes, both fides agreed, that the citi- zens of Edinburgh fhould give fecurity for the re- payment of the money which James had received,, provided the match fliculd mifcarry -, that the caftle of Berwick ftiould be delivered to the Englifh ; that the duke of Albany Ihouki be appointed regent of Scotland. The archbifhop of St. Andrew's, the bifhop of Dunkeld, the chancellor, and the earl of Argyle, obliged themfelves to- procure his pardon •+ and the duke promifed to acknowledge his brother £s his fovereign, and take the oath of allegiance to him a-new. This agreement being ratified, the duke of Gloucefter marched back to England ^ and the duke of Albany reftored his brother James to the exercife of his royalty, without fcipulating any thing but an amneily in his own favour. That prince, however, could not forgive him for the part he had acted : .he refolved to ieize the firft oppor- tunity of fecuring his perfon ; and the duke being apprized of his intention, retired to the caftle of Dunbar, which he furrendered to the Englifh, afrer having renev/ed his former treaty with Edward : but feeing no appearance of being fuccoured accord- ing to his expectation, he repaired to the court of Lewis, where he was accidently killed by the fplinter of a launce in a tournament with the duke of Or- leans, who afcer wards afcended the throne of France by the name of Lewis XII. A. -0.1483. No\v that the war with Scotland was terminated, The young Edward turned all his .attention towards the profe- Burgundy h cution of the revenge he had vowed againft Lewis ; betrothed to km the conjuncture was not fo favourable to his de- theHaupliin , -lit i c \ • -IT •f France ^gn, as it had been before his rupture witn James. Mary dutchefs of Burgundy having died in con- fequence of a fall from her horfe, her hufband Maxi- EDWARD IV. 149 Maximilian retained fo little credit with the Flem- A-c- '483- ings, that he was obliged to let his children remain in the hands of the inhabitants of Ghent j and Lewis, by his artful infmuations, obtained the con- fent of that people to the marriage of the dauphin with Margaret daughter of their deceafcd dutchefs, to whom the counties of Artois, Burgundy, Ma- •connois, Auxerre, and Charolois, were affigned as a portion. This negotiation was fo privately car- ried on, that Edward had not the lead intimation of it, untfl the young dauphinefs, about two years of age, arrived at Paris, where the ceremony of her betrothal was performed with great pomp and magnificence. Biondi. The king of England was equally aflonifhed and D™'h of ^ incenfed at this event, which he looked upon as an kbg"? IV* unpardonable affront offered to his family in the E-gi»nd. .perfqn of his daughter Elizabeth, who had for fome time been difbinguifhed by the appellation of the Dauphinefs, in which fhe was now fupplanted by an infant. Edward did not confio.er that Lewis, on this occasion, had done nothing more than re- tort his own behaviour in the cafe of the lady Bona. He liilened to the fuggefiions cf his refentment only, which, however, he could not obey with any profpect of fuccefs ; for he was now deprived of the afliftance of the Flemings, who favoured Lewis •, and the duke of Bretagne was opprefled with melancholly to fuch a degree, that he could no longer manage his own affairs. In fpite of all thefe Ar ^ difadvantages, the king of England refolved to carry war into the bo'-vels of France : he convoked a general aflembly of his nobles, who approved of his refolution ; and the whale .nation rejoiced as much at the profpeS:, as if they had already ob- tained a viflory. He forthwith began, to levy troops for this expedition; and his people contributed to- -\vards the expence with the utmoft alacrity : buc L 3 in HIS,TORY or ENGLAND. -m the m-1£jft Of his preparations he was feized wich a violent fever, produced by fome excefs, and died a penitent on the ninth day of April, in the forty- fecond year of his age, and in the twenty-third of his reign *. He was a prince of the moft elegant perfon, and Infmuating addrefs ; endowed with the utmoft fortitude and intrepidity ; poflefled of un- common fagacity and penetration : but, like all his anceftors, was brutally cruel and vindictive, per- lidious, lewd, perjured, and rapacious •, without one liberal thought, without one fentiment of hu- manity. * By his wife Elizabeth he had three fons and ftven daughters ; name- ly, Edward who fucceeded him on the throne j R'phard duke of York ; George, who died in his infancy; Elizabeth, who E D W A R D V. 157 time, that no harm was intended to the king, to 4- c- M$3« whom indeed, he was fmcerely attached, wichouc knowing the defigns of Gloucelter. The arch- bifhop arofe immediately from his bed ; and, thof it was midnight, went to vifit the queen, whom he found fitting on the floor in the utrnoft agony of diftrefs, deploring the fate of her children. Tlv» prelate endeavoured to confole her with the afTur- ance of Haftings ; but, fhe could derive no com- fort from any thing which came from that quarter; Then he protefted, that if her enemies mould b^ wicked enough to take away the life of the king, he would forthwith crown the duke of York ; an;l as a pledge of his fincerity, he left the great feal in her hands : but afterwards reflecting, that he ought not to have parted with that mark of the late king's confidence, he defired it might be fent back ; and fiie complied with his requeft. Mean while, the news of the affair at Northampton filled the whole city of London with tumult and confternation •, and a great number of the citizens took to their arms, without knowing what would be the confequence of Gloucefter's conduct. But, their fears were appeafed Stowe» by the lord Haftings, who allured them, that the king was- in no danger; and that Rivers and Gray had been apprehended for a confpiracy againft the lives of the dukes of Gloucefter and Buckingham ; but that they v/ould be fairly tried by ths laws or their country. In a few days after this difturbance, the king was R'chard brought to London, which he entered amidll the^J^er acclamations of the people, accompanied by the ^ciaredpfo duke of Gloucefter, who rode behind him 'bare- %££** headed, and a great number of- noblemen, who kingdom, feeme-d zsaloufly attached to his majefty's perfon. He was conduced to the bi (hop's palace, as a.. place offafety, under the protection of the citizens ; and this mark of con fiden-e, together with the refpscl which i5» HISTORYoFENGLAND. A. 0.1483. which was paid to the perfon of the king, intirefy difiipated thofe fufpicions which the affair of North- ampton had produced. Immediately after the re- joicings which were made on the king's arrival, the duke of Gloucefter convoked a great council of the nobility, to regulate the adminiftration ; and thefe being chiefly compofed of his own friends, or fuch as hated the queen's family, he was declared pro- tector of the king and kingdom; though the coun- cil on this occafion ufurped a prerogative which re- fided in the parliament alone. As loon as Richard found himfelf vefted with this high office, he de- prived the archbimop of York of the great feal, which he gave to the bifhop of Lincoln ; and filled with his own creatures all thofe places which had been occupied by the queen's adherents. Then he propofed in council, that a deputation mould be fent to defire the queen would allow the duke of York to attend his brother, and be prefent at his coronation. He obfervcd, that Elizabeth's retreat into the fanctuary implied a diftruft, which might kindle jealoufies, and revive factions, to the mani- feft prejudice of the nation : that the circumftance of York's remaining in the afylum, while his bro- ther received the crown, would difgrace the go- vernment in the eyes of foreign potentates : and that, in all probability, the queen's defign was to efcape from the fanctuary, and raife a flame in the kingdom, on pretence of defending her fecond fon from violence. It was therefore, his opinion, that the archbimop of Canterbury mould endeavour to perfuade the queen to part with the duke of York 5 and that, mould me refufe to comply in this par- ticular with the defire of the council, the duke of York mould be taken from her by force. The archbimop undertook to perfuade her to compliance; but vehemently oppofed the propofal for violating the fanctuary, which had been fo long kept facred. The E D W A R D V. 159 The duke of Buckingham inveighed againft the A c- H8> abufe of fanctuaries, and feconded the opinion of the protector, which was efpoufed by all the reft of Fabian. the council, the ecclefiaftics excepted. The cardinal archbifhop being Pent as deputy YotmgE<3-- from the council to the queen, employed all his elo- ward and hi» quence in vain, to perfuade her that (he ought to JjJJi*" part with the duke of York -, and finding her in- York are flexible, plainly told her, that a refolution was taken to withdraw him by force from the fanctuary. The haplefs mother, terrified at this declaration, impart- ed to the cardinal her fufpicions of Gloucefter, whom fhe taxed with a defign upon the crown, which he could not accomplifh without having both her fons in his power. The archbifhop, who never dreamed of Richard's ambition, took umbrage at the queen's infmuations •, and told her with great warmth, that her fufpicions were injurious to the character of a prince who had nothing more at heart than the in- tereft of his fovereign, as well as the honour of the nobility and prelates in council, who could not be fo wicked as to concur in any fuch treafonable de- iign. He faid that, without their concurrence, the protector would find fuch a fcheme impracticable ; though he was fully perfuaded in his own mind, that no thought of that nature ever entered the breaft of the duke of Gloucefter. The good cardinal was really convinced of the protector's integrity •, there- fore his difcourfe was the more emphatic, and had the greater effect upon Elizabeth, who began to abate in her apprehenfion, though not fo much, but that in parting with her fon, fhe Ihed a torrent of tears, and underwent the moft violent agitation of forrow. At length, after having embraced him with all the eagernefs of maternal affection, heighten- ed by the fear of lofing the beloved object for ever, {he delivered him into the hands of the archbifhop, by whom he was conducted to the protector ; and Ricked J&> HISTORY OF EN GLAND. A'Ct '^-Richard received him with all the marks of paternal tendernefs, defiring he would look upon him as his guardian and father. The two young princes feem- ed extremely happy at meeting, and began to think their uncle Richard iinrere in his profeflions of duty and friendfhip : but, this happinefs was not of long duration ; for, in a few days, they were conveyed from the bifhop's palace to the Tower, from whence the kings of England ufed to ride in proceffion thro* the ftreets of London to their coronation at Weft- minder; a -cuftom which now furnifhed Glou- cefter with a pretext for fecuring his nephews in clofe cuftody. Rivers, It was at this junftnre that Richard is faid to have Vauy'hand communicated his fcheme to the duke of Bucking-. arebLeaded ham, who was a nobleman without principle •, and' frjt°nte~ therefore cafily engaged in the project of Gloucefrer, who promifed to recompence his fervices with a grant of certain lands in Herefordfhire, the late king's wardrobe, and a patent for rendering the office of conftable hereditary in his family. The protector having fecured Buckingham in his in- tereft, refolved to rid his hands of the prifoners at PontefracT:, whole death would deprive the royal fa- milf of their chief fupport. For this purpofe he held confultations with his friends, and found Haftings particularly pleafed with the defign of dif- patching Rivers and Gray, who had done him many ill offices in the late reign. The lord Howard like- wife aflented to the fcheme for the fame reafon ; and Sir Thomas Radcliff governor of Pontefrad, received inftructions to put it in execution. He had already affembled five thoufand men for the fervice of Richard •, fo that having nothing to fear from the refentment of the people in the neighbourhood, he caufed the earl of Rivers, Sir Richard Gray, and Sir Thomas Vaughan, to be be- headcdj without any form of trial. Iri fs ot Richard. E D W A R D V. 161 In the mean time the duke, of Gloucefter endea- A.C. i4s3. voured to engage in his fervice a great number of Report profligate perfons of defperate fortunes, without fear, confcience, or any other principle of action ries than felf-intereft ; who would .execute his com- mands and directions, how wicked and cruel fo- ever they might be, without remojfe or hefitation. While he privately inlifted this band of defpera- does, he Hill maintained his diflimulation in the eyes of the world, affecting to prepare for the co- ronation of his nephew, at which he fummoned all gentlemen pofTeiring forty pounds a year, to at- tend and receive the honour of knighthood. His next fcheme was to find out a pretence for excluding the children of Edward from the throne, as well as thofe of Clarence, who flood between him and his hopes. When the resolution is once taken, pre- tences are eafily invented to give it countenance. His emifiaries began to prepare the public for his ufurpation, by fpreading reports to the prejudice of his mother's reputation. They whifpered about, that the old dutchefs of York had been falfe to her hufband's bed ; and that neither Edward nor Cla- rence were begotten by their reputed father ; where- as Richard wore hisexprefs image, both in the fea- tures of his countenance, and lineaments of his mind and difpoGtion. Not contented with afper- fmg the character of a lady, which had hitherto been unbkmifhed, they fixed the imputation of baftardy upon Edward's children, in confequence of the pretended marriage, by which they faid he was previoufly contracted to Elizabeth Lucy. They infinuated, that the children of CJarence were ren- dered incapable of fucceeding to the throne, by the attainder of their father ; and mentioned Richard, not only as the true heir or blood, but alfo, as a prince pofTefied of every quality that could adorn a crown. N°. 34. M Thefe i6z HIS TORY OF ENGLAND. A.C 1483. Thefe reports were difleminated in fuch an art- He divines fu\ manner, that they gained credit among the lower clafs of people, while they gave umbrage to thofe noblemen who were attached to the family of the late king, and in particular to lord Haftings, who was dill inrirely ignorant of Richard's real H;ft. Croy- dcfign. The protector was well acquainted with tand- his fentiments ; but had hitherto lived upon terms of friendship with him, on account of his great in- tereft in the city of London -, nor was he altogether without hope of bringing him intirely over to his intereft. He likev/ife cultivated a feeming friend- fhip with the two archbifhops, the bifhop of Ely, and the lord Stanley, who were weil-wifhers to the two young princes, becaufe he found, his account in their countenance; and refolved to wear the mafque until he fhould have no further occafion for their affifiance. In order to amufe them in the mean time, he fixed a day for the coronation of Edward, and divided his council, on pretence of making more expedition in preparing for that fo- lemnity. His own creatures fat at Weftminfter, attended by Edmund Shaw the mayor of London, who was devoted to the protector's intereft, while the noblemen that favoured the caufe of Edward, -were detached in a feparate committee to the Tower, where they met every day to fuperintend the pre- parations. They foon perceived that obftacles were induftrioufly raifed to prevent the execution of their orders : that very few perfons were admitted to the king, who was attended by a fmall number of domeftics, while his uncle was continually fur- rounded by fwarms of courtiers, whom he carefied with fuch affability as feemed contrary to his na- tural difpofition. Thefe circumftances, added to the delay of the coronation, alarmed the lord Stanley, who now began to fufpect the duke of Gloucefter of finifter defigns, He freely com- municated EDWARD V. 163 rnunicated his fufpicions to his collegues ; and, as A c< ****• the refolutions of the other council were myfterioufiy concealed from their knowledge, propofed, that they fliOLild, without lofs of time, concert proper meafu'res for the fafety of their fovereign. The lord Hailmgs, who firmly believed tV.-it the pro- tector had no other defign but that of deftroying the queen's faction, difpelled thefe juft fufpicions, by afTuring them there was nothing to be feared from the other council ; and offered to pawn his head, that if they mould take any ftep to the pre- judice of the king and the realm, he mould be in- formed of it by one of the members who was intire'y devoted to his intereft. This was his friend and confident Carelby ; but he little dreamed that this Jiian betrayed him, and that fu.:h was the price by winch he purchafecl the confidence of the protector. The lord Stanley and his ccllegues allowed them- felves to be convinced by the afiurances of Haftings, whole intelligence they preferred to their own ob- ftrvations ; and thus negkcted the opportunity which never recurred. Mean while, Richard thought it was now high Orde"0IJ*f" time, either to make a convert of Haftings to his aweftedaL views, or to deftroy him at once : for this purpofc J^*.^ he employed Catefby to found that nobleman, fo-mof touching his opinion of the protector's righc, which ma!* happened at that time to be the common fubject of converfation. Haftings not only refuted all the fuggeftions concerning the baftardy of Edward and his children j but affured Catefby, that he would with all his intereit, and even his heart's blood, fupport the young princes againft all their enemies. This declaration was immediately reported to the protector, who being extremely defirous of enga- ging Haftings in his defign, directed Catefby to try him once more, and even hint the project which was formed for the exclufion of his nephews. Ca- M 2 tefby,' 1 64 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A.C. 1483. tefbVj 5n trijs fecond converfation, found him more than ever determined to oppofe any enterprize that fhould be formed againft his mafter's children ; and Richard, for chat very reafon, devoted him to immediate death. He repaired in the morning to the council in the Tower, where he behaved with remarkable affability to the members ; and after forne flay withdrew, defiring them to continue their deliberations, and give the laft orders touch- ing the ceremony of the coronation, which had been too long delayed. In about an hour after his departure, he returned with a frowning afpe<5t, biting his lips, and exhibiting all the marks of in- ternal agitation. After fome paufe, "- My lords, 41 (faid he) what punifhment do thofe deferve who *l have confpired againft my life ?" The whole council was confounded at this queftion ; and the lord Haflings replied, in the name of the reft, that whoever was guilty of fuch a crime ought to be punifhed as a traitor. *' Ic is no other (cried 46 Richard) than that forcerefs my fifter-in-law, " with her accomplices." Before his hearers had time to recollect themfelves from the fear and aftoniihment which this prelude produced, he bared his left arm, which was withered, and prefenting it to the council, " Behold, (faid he) what that force - «' refs, and the wretched Shore have done by the " power of their incantations ! they have reduced " this arm to the condidon in which you now fee •' it ; and the reft of my body would have fhared 1483« council, the duke of Gloucefter accufed hi-r of having pra.flifed witchcrafr, and entered into the confpiracy of Haftings againft his life. But me made hsr innocence appear fo plain, that they could not, with any fnadow of juftice, condemn her up- on this accufation : then ihe was profecuted for the irregularities of her life, which (he could not deny ; and being delivered to the ecclefiatlical jurifdiction, was condemned to do public penance in St. Paul's church, and to walk in proceffion before the crois, barefoot, half naked, and a burning taper in her hand. Thofe executions at London and Pontsfradlr, without form and procefs, together with the im- prifonment of the archbifliop of York, the biiliop of Ely, and the lord Stanley, left the people no reafon to doubt but that the protector had a defign upon the crown -, and the whole kingdom was filled with confirmation. This was a juncture at which he refolved to manifeft his intention ; but, as he defired to have the approbation of the Lon- doners, he confulted with his confident the duke of Buckingham, about means for procuring this ad- vantage. They refolved to redouble their induftry in perfuading the people that the children of Ed- ward were baflards, on the fuppofition that thofe whom their emiffaries could not convince, would be deterred from attempting to undeceive their neighbours. Doctor Ralf Shaw, the mayor's bro- Dr. Shaw' ther, preached a fermon at St. Paul's crofs, in rerr™"fin which he not only enlarged upon Edward's pre- S^ani. vious marriage with Elizabeth Lucy, which render- v ed his other children illegitimate, butalfo expatiated upon the baftardy of Edward himfelf and his bro- ther Clarence, who he affirmed were begotten by perfons whom the dutchefs of York admitted to her bed in the abfence of her hufba/id : then he M 4 made i6S HISTORYorENGLAND. A.C. 1483. macje a tranfition to the dukeofGloucefter, whom h- reprefented as the true Ton of York, wham he perfectly refembled in his features as well as in his virtues, and poured forth an extravagant panegyric on this prince, during which he intended to have prefented himfelf to the people, in hope that, moved by the eloquence of the preacher, they would have fainted him as king. The duke, however, did not arrive until the doctor had exhaufted his encomium, and began to difcufs another fubjeft. Neverthe- Jefs, feeing the protector approach, he repeated his praife with the mod fulfome exaggeration, while Richard walked through the crowd to his place, But, inftead of hearing the acclamation of " Long ** live king Richard !" he faw the audience hang their heads in profound filence, deteftingthe vena- lity of the preacher, who forfeited all his popula- rity by this fhameful prostitution of his talent, and concealed himfelf in retirement, where he foon died of forrow and remoiie. Theduke Shaw's fermon having* been fo unfavourably re - of Bucking- ceived, the duke of Buckingham, who was famed ham ha- » rangucsthe lor his elocution, undertook to harangue the peo- ^Guu? Ple on the TueldaY following at Guildhall -, there hail. the aldermen and common council being afiembled by the lord mayor, the duke refumed the topics which doctor Shaw had handled fo unfuccefsftilly. He told them, the lords in council and com- mons of the kingdom, had declared that no baftard mould fit upon the throne of England, and infixed upon the crown's being adjudged to the duke of Glouceftsr, the only fon of the late duke of York : he faid there was reafon to fear that mag- nanimous prince would reject the offer-, but he hoped that if all the people, efpecially the citizens of London, would unite in their folicitations, Richard might be perfuaded to bear the weighty burthen of government, which was too heavy for E D W A R D V. 169 an infant's fhoulders. He therefore defined, in his A-C«I4S3- own name, and that of the council, they would declare their opinion ; and here he paufed, in ex- pectation of hearing them exclaim 4* King Richard ! " King Richard !" But, to his great furprize, an univerfal filence prevailed. He repeated his ha- rangue with feme variation ; and ftill they con- tinued mute and melancholy. He then exprefied his difpleafure to the mayor, who told him, that the people were not ufed to be harangued by any perfon but the recorder, who was the city orator. This officer being ordered to fpeak, on the fame fubject, recapitulated all that the duke had faid ; and concluded with defiring they would anfwer pofuively, whether or not they would have the duke of Gloucefter for their king. A confufed murmur ran through the multitude •, and fomeof the duke's domeftics, having infmuated themfelves among the croud, cried, " Long live king Richard!" A few burghers, who had been previouQy corrupt- ed, joined in this acclamation ; and the apprentices 2nd populace who ftocd at the gate threw up their caps in honour of the duke of Gloucefter. Buck- ingham, commanding filence, told them, he was rejoiced to find his propofal met with fuch univerfal approbation •, and defired they would meet him next day at the fame time and place, that they might go together and prefent an humble fupplication to nis highnefs, bekeching him to mount the throne, and govern the people as his own fubjects. The citizens were difmifled for that day. On Richard ac, the morrow, the duke of Buckingham, with the ^^* mayor, aldermen, and a multitude of the protec- tor's adherents, repaired to Barnard's Caftle, where he refided, in order to prefent an addrefs, in the name of the three eftates, declaring the baftardy of Edward's children ; and intreating him to afiume the crown, which was his tru? inheritance, Richard pretended 170 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A. c. 1483, pretended to be terrified at fuch a concourfe of people, as if he had thought they came with fome fmifter defign upon his perion -, and when at length Buckingham prevailed upon him to give them audience, he came forth with all the marks of ter- ror and diftrufl. He affected great furprize at their propofal, which he declined, obferving that he loved his brother's children above all the crowns in the world : though he confidered their addrefs as a proof of their affection, which he mould never forget. He exhorted them to. live quietly under the fovereign to whom they owed their obedience -, and he promifed for himfelf that he would, to the beft of his power, advife his nephew to govern in fuch a manner as to render his people flouriming and happy. The duke of Buckingham, appearing, very much diflatisfied with this anfwer, declared, that the people were unanimoufly refolved that none of Edward's children mould fit upon the throne ; and that, if he would not receive the crown, they iliould be obliged to offer it to fome other perfon. This declaration foftened the pro- tector into compliance. He told them, that fmce they were determined to reject the children of Ed- ward, he was contented to accept the crown, which was undoubtedly his lawful inheritance, though he received it with more pleafure, as rhe free gift of a free people. This condefcenfion in Richard was applauded with loud acclamations. Next day he repaired to Weftminftsr-Hall, where, placing him- felf in the royal feat, he made a fpeech to the au- dience, and gave the judges a ftrict charge for the due adminiftration of juftice. RICHARD RICHARD in. ' [ i?i J RICHARD III. Sirnamed CROOK-BACK. THIS farce being acted with all imaginable A-c fuccefs, the duke of Gloucefter was pro- ^" claimed king of England and France, by the name of Richard III. en the twenty fecond day of June, and the fixth day of July fixed for the ceremony of his coronation, which he deferred till that time, in expectation of being reinforced by five thoufand men from the North, as he did not much confide in the attachment of the Londoners. During this interval, he conferred the office of chancellor upon the bilhop of Lincoln, who was one of his fa- vourites. He beftowed the office of marefchal on lord John Howard, together with the title of duke of Norfolk ; and the next day appointed him high- conftable for the coronation. His fon Thomas Howard was created earl of Surrey ; William Berkeley was promoted to the title of earl of Not- tingham; and lord Lovel, one of Richard's chief confidents, was raifed to the title of vifcount. Tho- mas Rotherham archbifhop of York was difcharged from confinement ; and the lord Stanley was not only releafed, but even appointed Reward of the houfhold : not that Richard had any real regard for thi$ nobleman, but this indulgence was the effect cf his apprehenfion ; for Stanley's fon the lord Strange had begun to levy troops in Lincclnfhire, and Richard thought this was the moft likely expe- dient for preventing the confequences of a rebellion. The ur.iverfity of Oxford prefenced a petition in fa- vour of Morton bilhop of Ely ; and though the new king mortally hated that prelate, he would not, in the beginning of his reign3 difoblige fuch a ve- nerable 172 HISTORYopENGLANa A. c. ,4s3. nerable body by a flat refufai : nor would he fet the bifhop altogether at liberty -, but he chofe a me- dium, and committed him to the care of rhe duke of Buckingham, who fent him to his caftle of sir T. More. Brecknock in Wales. On thefixth day of July, he acWeTIl'n- and Anne his queen, daughter of Richard earl of fteu Warwick, were crowned with great pomp at Welt- minfter. All the noblemen in die kingdom affifted at this ceremony, that they might not, by their abfence, incur the fufpicion of the new king, whole character was Ib formidable ; and the queen's train was borne up by Margaret countefs of Richmond* wife of lord Stanley, and mother to the e-rirl of Richmond then an exile in Brittany. Richard now ftemed fecure from all oppofition. There was not a nobleman in the kingdom who had intereft enough to raile the leafi diiturbance, except thofe who were intirely devoted to his in- tereft. The queen dowager, with her five daugh- ters, and her brother the marquis of Dorfet, ftill remained in the fanctuary. Sir Richard Wideville lived in concealment •, while Edward V. and his brother the duke of York continued clofe prifoners in the Tower, the government of which was con- terred on Sir Richard Brackenbury, on whofe fide- lity Richard placed the greateit dependence. Ne- verthelefs, that he might ftrengthen his pov/er with foreign alliances, and prevent his enemies from re- ceiving any affiiiance abroad, he fent Bernard de ]a Force as his ambafTador into Caftile, to renew the antient alliance with Ferdinand and Ifabella. He appointed commiflloners to treat with France about certain infractions of the truce, that it might be renewed and confirmed j he vefted Thomas Hutton with full power to prolong the truce with Francis II. duke of Brittany > and this ambaffador received instructions abouc a new treaty with that . prince, RICHARD III. in prince, touching his delivering up the earl of Rich- A- c- '^ mond. Rymer. Thofe meafures being taken, Richard is faid to Deathof have com palled the death of his two nephews in the f^n^u"n Tower : and, in order to avoid the fufpicion of be- the Tower, ing concerned in this tragedy, to have made a pro- grefs through feveral counties, on pretence of re-- forming the abufes which had crept into the admr- niftration of juftice. In the courfe of this circuit he refided fome time at Gloucester, which he af- fe61ed to favour as the place from which he derived his title. He was accompanied by the duke of Buckingham, who now feemed to think his fervices could never be fufficiently recompenced, and wag become fo arrogant, that the king found it necej"- fary to humble his pride. The firft opportunity that offered, Richard treated him fupercilioufly, and even refufed him fome little favours he had occafion to afk -, for, with regard to theeftate of Hereford, which fome hiftorians have made the caufe of this difference, it appears, by a grant of Richard, merr- tioned by Dugdale, that the duke had actually re- ceived ail the lands he could have reafonably claimed as belonging to that family from which he was de- fcended. In all probability therefore, he took um- brage at fome other repulfe or mortifying flight ; and having obtained permiffion to go and regulate his domeftic affairs, retired in difguft to his caftle of Brecknock. After his departure, the king pro- ceeded to the execution of the fcheme he had pro- jected for making away with his nephews in the Tower. He had founded Brakenbury the gover- nor upon this fubject ; and rinding him too con- fcientious to be concerned in the perpetration of fuch a cruel murder, he employed Sir James Tyrrel, who had afted as affaflin- general during the reign of Edward IV, under the title of vice- con liable, by virtue i74 HISTORY orENGLAND. A.C. 1483. virtue of a commifiion, impowering him to take cognizance of all cafes of treafon ; and, upon a bare inflection of the fact, fee juttice immediately executed upon the criminal, without noife, form of trial, or appeal. This murdering commifiion \vas renewed by Richard -, and Tyrrel having re- ceived his inductions, found acceis to the Tower, where he is faid to have taken away the lives of the innocent princes, by the hands of two ruffians, who fmothered them in their beds, and buried their bo- dies under a ftaircafe. This is the account given by Sir Thomas More, which oughc to be read v/ith caution, becaufe written in the fubfequent reign, when every hiftorian and writer endeavoured to in- linuate himfelf into the favour of Henry, by blackening the character of his predeceffor. True it is Tyrrel is faid to have confefled the fact, when he was arrefted for treafon againft Henry ; but very little dependence ought to be placed on extorted confefllons. At this period, the two young princes certainly difappeared : and in the reign of Charles II. the workmen employed in repairing that part of the Tower, found the bones of a fmall human fkeleton, which were interred in Weltminfter- Abbey, as the remains of thofe, two unhappy princes. If they were put to death at this juncture, Richard mult have acted from mere wantonnefs of barbarity •, for his throne feemed to be ftrongly eftablifhed, the whole kingdom was quiet, all the pardfans of Ed- ward's children were crumed and ruined, and the children themfelves declared illegitimate. Perhaps young Edward, who was of a weakly conftitution, died of grief and terror, with which he certainly was overwhelmed from the moment of his depo- fition •, and his brother the duke of York was con- veyed beyond fea, where he lived fome time in ob- fcurity, and afterwards appeared as a pretender to the Englifti crown, Even this conjecture is attended with RICHARD III. 175 with material obje£ions. Had Edwsrdcaed of a A-c- 1. 0.1483. and they fucceeded even beyond expectation. Richard had by his cruelty rendered himfelf odious to the nation in general ^ and almoft all the partifans of the houfe of York were incenfed againft him on ac- count of the murder of the two princes. All the Lancaftrians joyfully embraced a project that tended ro re-eftablifh a prince of that houfe on the throne of England •, and moderate people, who had no- thing in view but the good of their country, could not but favour a defign, the fuccefs of which would put an end to thofe civil diffenfions with which the realm had been fo long afflicted. The duke of Buckingham, as chief of the enterprize, employed his friends in Wales to enlift men privately, that he might be able to alTemble an army all at once, when it mould be found neceflary to declare their intention : at the fame time he entered into en- gagements with the gentlemen of Dorfetfhire, De- vonfhire, and Cornwall, who promifed to levy troops, and join the earl of Richmond at his land- ing. This was likewife his own defign-, while others of his adherents were inftrucled to excite in- furredrons in different parts of the country, in order to* divide Richard's forces, and diftrad his attention. The marquis of Dorfet, who had lately quitted the fanc~tuaryy his brother Sir Richard Wide- ville, the biihop of Exeter, his brother Sir Edward Courtenay, and feveral other perfons of diftinclion, engaged in this afTociation. The countefs of Rich- mond fent two meflengers to her fon in Brittany, by different ways, to inform him of the refolution which had been taken in his favour, and the con- ditions on which he was invited to land in Eng- land. He then refided at Vannes, where he had been kept feveral years a kind of prifoner at large, in confeqnence of the convention fubfifting between the duke and the fourth Edward, The RICHARD III. i8t The earl was not more rejoiced at the fteps which A c- '48*1 were taken in his favour by his friends in England, Thedufeof than embarrafied about the means of returning in £."S?« to a fuitable manner to his native country. He was affiftthe not ignorant of the agreement between Edward IV. £[!hLnd. and the duke of Brittany, touching the confine- ment of his perfon ; and he knew that Richard had made advances to the duke on the fame fubject : but, as he could not pretend to take the advantage of his good fortune without the concurrence of that prince, he frankly communicated to him every cir- cumftance of the plan, and foliicited his friendship and affiftance. He found the duke very well dii- pofed to favour his enterprize. He had not en- gaged in any treaty with Richard, whom he de- tefted for his tyranny and inhuman difpofition; and he had fome pretenfions to the earldom of Rich- mond in England, which his anceftors had poffefled, and which he did not defpair of retrieving, pro- vided the earl fhouJd by his .means afcend the throne of England. This is faid to have been the princi- pal article of their agreement, in confederation of which the duke engaged to affift him with troops and vefiels. Henry having fecured this point with Hy]in ^ the duke of Brittany, difpatched a meflenger with letters to his mother, and the duke of Buckingham, informing them of the progrefs he had made, and defiring they would be ready to receive him in the beginning of October. By thefe tidings all the confpirators were put in motion; and each indi- vidual repaired to the poft affigned to him, in order to levy troops, or excite infurrecticns. Notwithstanding all their precautions, thefe fteps open mP- could not be taken with fuch fecrecy as to elude tufebe- the vigilance of Richard, who difcovered that fome kSnglu plot was formed againft him, though he was ftill Jj£j^ ignorant of the. quarter from which the ftorm im- ham.l pended, He forthwith advanced from York to- N 3 wards i&2 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A.C. 1485. warcjs the center of his kingdom ; and ifTued orders into different parts, directing the troops to be in rea- dinefs to march at the firit notice. His reflexion foon pointed out to him the duke of Buckingham as the author of thefe commotions, as he had re- tired from court in difguft -, was the only noble- man in England, who by his genius, wealth, and influence, could form and execute any fcheme of fuch importance ; and the efcape of the bifhop of Ely bore all the marks of the duke's connivance. Alarmed by thefe fufpicions, he fent for the duke to court, that he might confult him on fome affairs of confequence •, and Buckingham excufed himfelf, on pretence of indifpofition. The king being more and more confirmed in his conjectures, by this eva- fion, infifted upon feeing him, by a peremptory order that would admit of no apology •, and to this the duke anfwered, that he did not choofe to truft his perfon with his moft inveterate enemy, on whom he neither could, nor would, for the future, .place the fmalleft dependence. After this declara- tion, he knew there was no medium to be obferved. He immediately affembled his troops, and began his march towards the weftern provinces, where the earl of Richmond intended to land, and where he expected to be joined by the reft of the confe- deracy. The duke Though Richard was not a little furprifed to of Bucking- find the duke fo well prepared, he had taken fuch fa»" be"- precautions as enabled him to bring an army into myed, and the fie}d without delay •, and he appointed the Pd«th. rendezvous at Leicefter, refolving to go in queft of the enemy, and engage him before he fhould be reinforced. He would have found it difficult, how- ever, to prevent the junction of the confederates, had they not been kept afunder by an unforefeen accident. The duke of Buckingham advanced by Jong marches to the fide of the Severne, in his way to RICHARD III. 183 to join his friends in the counties of Devon and A.c.i48j. Dorfet ; but the river had overflowed its banks in fuch an extraordinary manner, as to deluge the whole adjacent country ; fo that for fix days, he could neither pafs the ftream,e nor find fubfiftence in the place where. he encamped. His Welfh followers, difpirited by the want of provifion, the exceffive rains, the intolerable fatigues to which they were expofed, as well as by the inundation, which they looked upon as an unfavourable omen, retired to their mountains, in fpiteof all his remon- ftrances and intreaties -, and the defertion was fo general, that he was left with one domeftic only. In this forlorn fituation, he faw no other refource than that of concealing himfelf, until he Ihould be able to take other meafures. He therefore retired to the houfe of one Banifter, who had lived in his fervice, and owed his all to the bounty of the duke and his father. Richard was no fooner informed of the difperfion of his enemies, than he publifhed a proclamation, fetting the price of a thoufand pounds on the head of the duke of Buckingham ; and Banifter was fuch an ungrateful wretch, as to betray his mafter and benefactor for the fake of this reward. He difcovered him to the fheriffof Shropmire, who with a band of armed men, fur- rounded the houfe, and took the unhappy duke prifoner, in the difguife of a peafant. He was conveyed to Shrewsbury, and earneftly defired he might be admitted into the king's prefence ; but, this was a favour he couFd not obtain : and he was immediately beheaded by Richard's order, without any form of procefs. His friends, who waited for his eroding the Severne, being informed of the de- fertion of his Welfh troops, difperfed immediately. Some concealed themfelves in the houfes of their relations; others fled to fanftuaries •, but, the greater part embarked for Brittany, and the marquis of Dorfet was of that number. N 4 While 184 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A. 0.1483. While the duke of Buckingham thus hailed to The eari of deft ruction, Henry earl of Richmond, fuppcrfmg StemptTto tnat nis affairs in England were ftill in a profperous makeade- train, fet fail from St. Malo, in the latter end of England!"* October, with five thoufand men, embarked in forty veflels, an armament with which he had been fupplied by the duke of Brittany -, but, his fleet was difperfed by a ftorm, which forced part of his fhips on the coaft of France, while the reft were driven back to the place from whence they had taken their departure. The mip in which the earl himfelf embarked, having weathered the ftorm, ar- jived at Pool in Dorfetfhire, where rinding the fifiore crouded with armed men, he would not land, but fent fome perfons amore in the boar, to learn whe- ther they were friends or enemies. The comman- der of the Englim troops told them, he belonged to the duke of Buckingham, who had fent him to that place to receive the earl of Richmond. But, whether Henry difcovered them to be the militia of the country, aflembled by Richard's officers, or was determined againft landing without the forces which had embarked in the expedition, he con- tinued fome days hovering on the coaft, in hope of being joined by his fleet ; and, as none of his veflels appeared, he failed back to Normandy, where he was informed of Buckingham's difafter. Then he returned to Brittany, where he found the marquis of Dorfet, and the other refugees, who in forne meafure confoled him for his mifcarriage, by afluring him, that Richard was univerfally hated by his fubjefts ; and that they would rife againft him with the very firft opportunity. Henry con- ceived a good omen from this information v and th^duke of Brittany promifing to continue his af- fiftance, he relblved to make another attempt with all convenient expedition. In the mean time, he folemnly fwore, on Chriftmas day, in, the cathe- dral RICHARD III. dral of Rennes, that he would marry the princefs ^-c Elizabeth-, or, in cafe of her death, her younger fitter Cecilia -, and he no fooner took the oath, than all the Englifh who were prefent, fv/ore allegiance to him as king of England. During thefe tranfactions in Brittany, Richard £ro^er facrificed a great number of victims to his ven- on*. geance -, and among the reft, Sir Thomas St. Le- ger, who had married his own fitter Anne, widow of the duke of Exeter. In order to difpatch thefe executions, and avoid the tedious formalities of the . law, he granted to Sir Ralph Afhton a commiffion, to exercife ths office of viqe-conftable, with the fame murdering power which had been formerly veiled in Tyrr-1 •, and this officer making a pro- grefs into the weftern counties, filled them with R>TOa' bloodfhed and lamentation. All oppofition being A. 0.1 thus quelled, the king called a parliament, which met in the month of January ; and, as none of the members durfl contradict his will, an act was pafTed, declaring Edward's children baftards, and confirm- ing the pretended right and irregular election of Richard. They likewife brought a bill of attainder againft Henry earl of Richmond, and all his adhe- rents, comprehending all thofe who were concerned in the duke of Buckingham's confpiracy, except the countefs of Richmond, againft whom no infor- mation had been prefented. Richard, however, defired her hufband lord Stanley to keep a watchful eye over her conduct ; and, in order to attach that nobleman ftill more firmly to his intereft, he creat- ed him lord high conftable of England, with au- thority over Alhton, who had by this time per- formed the fervice for which he was appointed. When Richard thought he had, by thefe execu- tions, intirely extinguimed the confpiracy; Thomas Hatton, whom he had fent ambaflador to the court of Brittany, on his return to England, gave him to ,36 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A. c. 1484. to underftand that the defign of the invafion (till Sudtsa fubfifted : that the duke had promifed to continue treaty with his affiftance to the earl of Richmond ; and, that Landi& mi- Henry and the Englifh refugees held frequent con- nifterofthc ferenccs, to concert meafures for the execution of iSSwy. their Pr°Jed- Richard though he believed himfelf fo much mafter in England, that no perfon would prefume to take arms againft his government, re- folvedto render himfelf ftill more fecure by foreign alliances. He had already renewed the treaties with Spain and Portugal, and he now fent am ba {fa- ctors to the archduke Maximilian, governor of the Low Countries for his fon Philip, who, by his mother, was, like the princes of Caftile and Portu- gal, defcended from the houfe of Lancafter. The ^ ? u ' pretence of this embafiy was to renew the commer- cial truce between Flanders and England ; but, the ambaifadors had inftructions to enquire whe- ther or not that court entertained any defign upon the crown of England, or had engaged in alliance with the pretender : at the fame time, the king of England fent envoys to the court of France, to confirm and prolong the truce with that kingdom. As he knew the duke of Brittany was embarked in the interefts of the earl of Richmond, he determin- ed to exert his utmolt endeavours, to detach him from the caufe of that nobleman -, and an accident prefented him with a very favourable opportunity. The duke being old and infirm, was entirely di- rected by his treafurer Peter Landais, the fon of a taylor, who ufed his credit with fuch infolence, as intailed upon him the hatred of all the Bretons. In the courfe of this very year, the nobility had entered into an afTociation againft him, and even attempted to feize his perfon in the duke's palace ; but, their fcheme mifcarried, and they were de- clared rebels and traitors by means of the incenfed favourite. Liandais knowing he was the object of univerfal RICHARD III. 187 univerfal hate in his own country, thought it would A- c-'4^4« be necefiary to fortify himfelf with fome foreign affiftance ; and with this view fent ambaffadors to Richard, who gladly liftened to his propofals. A truce was concluded between England and Brit- tany ; but by another private treaty, the king engaged to affift the duke wirh a thoufand archers for the defence of his minifter, who, in all proba- bility undertook to deliver the earl of Richmond into the hands of Richard : at Jeaft he promifed that Henry fhould have no further afiiftance from the duke his mafter. This affair being fettled to the king's fatisfa6bion, p^ rf ^ .he turned his attention to James IV. of Scotland, prim* of whom as a defcendant of the houfe of Somerfet, Wales* he imagined a favourer of Richmond. With this prince he negotiated a truce for one year, and fet- tled the contract of marriage between his niece Anne, daughter of the duke of Suffolk, and the duke of Rothfay, eldeft fon of the Scottifh mo- narch. Richard's fon, the prince of Wales, dying RyTncr. about this period, he declared the young lady's bro- ther, the earl of Lincoln, prefumptive heir of the crown ; and refolved that his declaration mould be ratified by parliament. Over and above thefe pre- cautions, he fent' an embaflfy of Obedience to pope Innocent VIII. who had juft fucceeded Sixtus IV. in the pontifical chair ; and, in a little time after he had taken thefe falutary meafures, Charles VJII. king of France, defired a fafe-conduct for the ambafladors he intended for the court of London. As Peter Landais, minifter of the duke of Bre- Theearlof tagne, had no occafion for the archers which had Richmond been ftipulated in the treaty, Richard perceiving ^ that he had nothing to expect from that quarter, unlefs he could indulge him with other advantages j he therefore, on pretence of prolonging the truce, entered into a new negotiation with the duke and his i&8 HISTORY OF ENGLAND; A. c. 1484. n;s favourite, and is faid to have offered very va- luable rewards for the perfon of Henry ; during vvhofe life he could enjoy no internal quiet. The duke by this time, was' quite fuperannuated, and his in- tellects greatly impaired ; fo that in effect Landais acted as fovereign of Brittany ; and to him Rich- ard's chief attention was directed. The king of England is faid to have granted letters patent, re - ftoring to Francis II. duke of Bretagne, the earldom of Richmond and all its dependances : but with re- fpect to Landais, the nature of the gratification A»ge«trf. which he expected is not fo perfectly known. Cer- tain it is, Richard was very liberal in his promifes, but the other infifted upon having fomething more fubftantial ; and, before the treaty was finifhed, the earl of Richmond was informed of the nego- tiation by Morton bifliop of Ely, who, having fpies in the court of England, nnderftood that the king often conferred in private with the bifhop of Leon, ambaffador from the duke of Bretagne. Henry, alarmed at this intelligence, refolved to retire into France, and for that purpofe fecretly obtained a paflport from king Charles •, but, as he naturally fuppofed that Landais had employed emifTaries to watch his motions, he found himfelf embarrailed about the means of accomplifhing his efcape. The tkike of Bretagne had juft recovered of a lethargy, during which his minifter had negotiated with Richard ; and the earl of Richmond fent all his Englifh friends and followers to congratulate that prince, in his name, on the re-eftablimment of his health, juftly concluding that they would not fuf- pect him of anydefign to retire while fuch a number of hoftages remained at the court of Brittany. The fcheme fucceeded to his wifh : being left almoft alone at Vannes, he found an opportunity to with- draw in difguife, accompanied by five perfons ; he immediately quitted the high road, and rede acrofs RICHARD III. the country through lanes and unfrequented paths, A c- without halting, until he arrived at Angers the capital of Anjou. Without fuch diligence he muft have certainly been taken ; for his efcape from Vanr.es was no fooner known, than thofe who were employed to watch his conduct purfued him with fuch fpeed, that they arrived upon the frontiers in lefs than one hour after he had pafied the confines of Brittany. The duke, underftanding that he had retired from apprehenfion of being betrayed by Landais, was incenfed againft his favourite, and allowed all the Englifh in his dominions to join the earl, to whom he fent his compliments and proffers of fervice. From Angers Henry repaired to Lan- geais, where he met with an hofpitable reception at the court of Charles, though it was ftill diftrac"led by different factions •, and here he was joined by the earl of Oxford, who had been imprifoned by order of Edward IV. in the caftle of Hammes in Picardy. Hearing in his confinement that the earl of Richmond laid claim to the crown of England, he had prevailed upon the governor of that fortrefs to declare for Henry, and now they went together to vifit him at the court of France. The earl of Oxford was a confiderable accefllon to his party ; and feveral other noblemen in England fent him fecret afiurances that he might depend upon their fervice whenever they mould find a proper oppor- tunity to declare againft Richard ; among thefe was the lord Stanley, who had married the earl's mother ; and on that account was fo much fuf- pected by the king that he could not obtain leave to retire to his houfe in the country, until he had left his fon at court as an hoflage. Richard was at fuch pains to learn the nature of the plan which his enemies projected againft him, that he at laft difcovered the moft material circum- ftance, which was the union of the queen's friends with , g0 H I S T O R Y o F E N G L'A N D, A.C. 1484. with the partifans of the houfe of Lancafter, by means of Henry's marriage with Elizabeth. Roufed at this intelligence he refolved to prevent a match which could not fail to make the foundation of his government ; and he faw no method fo effectual as that of making Elizabeth his own confort. This would have appeared an impracticable expedient to any other perfon but Richard, as it was attended with three obftacles feemingly infurmountable, before fuch a marriage could take effect : there was a neceffity for removing his prefent wife ; for obtaining the confent of the queen dowager, whofe brothers and fons he had butchered •, and for prevailing upon the pope to grant a difpenfation for an inceftuous marriage between an uncle and a niece. He began the exe- cution of this flrange project by fending feveral civil mefiages to the queen dowager, importing that he wifhed for nothing fo much as to live in a good underftanding with her, that he might have an opportunity to give her convincing proofs of his friendship. He owned me had met with cruel treatment, in order to attone for which he prormfed to afiign a confiderable penfion for her fubfiftance ; to beftow profitable employments on her two bro- thers, and to procure advantageous matches for her daughters. As he knew thefe advances would appear fufpicious to the queen, he inftructed his emiffaries to afcribe them to the dictates of his confcience, which was difturbed by the remem- brance of the wrongs he had done her family. They declared that his intention was to raife the princefs Elizabeth to the throne, as death had deprived him of his own fon ; and that he would revoke the declaration he had made in favour of the earl of Lincoln. The other part of his promife, touching the fafety of the queen and her family, as well as the intended provifion, he confirmed by a folemn oath, taken at an aflembly of the lords fpiritual and temporal. Thefc RICHARD III. 191 Thefe promifes and profeflions made an impref- A< c> 1+8*» fion on the mind of the queen, who was heartily who is per. tired with being cooped up in a fanctuary, very ill ^jjd^ provided with the neceflaries of life -, who loved fanauary. her brothers with the warmeft affection, and who reflected that me and her daughters had nothing to expect butmifchief and deftruction, mould me irri- tate the king by rejecting his offers. Swayed by thefe confiderations, me not only went to court with her five daughters, where they met with a mod gracious reception, but alfo wrote to her bro- ther the marquis of Dorfet, to abandon the earl of Richmond, and return to England, where he might depend upon Richard's generofity. The marquis, equally weak and ambitious, was fo agreeably flattered with this profpect of the king's favour, that he withdrew privately from Paris, withdefign to return to England ; but he was pur- fued and brought back by the adherents of Henry, who perfuaded him to ftay and mare his fortune. Richard, having thus accompliflied the moft diffi- cult part of his plan, began to contrive means for removing his wife, that he might be at liberty to efpoufe his niece Elizabeth : and whatever expe- dient he ufed, certain it is, me did not long fur- vive her fon the prince of Wales. If we may be- Death of lieve Buck, me died of grief at the lofs of that J"^. young prince ; but all the other hiftorians alledge, that Richard killed her either with unkindnefs or poifon ; and thus me fuffered the pu rudiment which me in fome meafure deferved, for having thrown herfelf into the arms of the barbarian who had murdered her firft hufband the prince of Wales, Ton of Henry VI. at Tewkefbury. The king profeffed the deepeft affliction at the death of his confort, who was interred with great pomp and magnificence -, but, notwithftand- ing his grief, Ihe was hardly in her tomb, when he 102 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A. 0.7484. he made propofals of marriage to his niece Elizd- Richard beth. She received his addreffcs with horror, and Sdreffes to Begged k£ wou^ never more fpeak to her on that his^iece fubject ; but he did not doubt of being able to Elizabeth, vanquifh her reluctance, though he laid afide his Honing- defign until a more favourable opportunity fliould occur, as he did not think it would be politic to force her inclinations. Mean while, underftand- ing that the governor of Hammes had revolted, he ordered the commander of Calais to reduce that fortrefs to his obedience -, and his order was fo ex- peditioufly executed, that the earl of Oxford, who marched to its relief, could not reach the neigh- bourhood until after it had capitulated ; the garri- fon, however, joined the earl c' M8*' finding his friends had been greatly alarmed at his abfence, he told them he had gone to confer with fome particular noblemen, who did not chufe to appear as yet in his behalf. That fame day hs privately vifited the lord Stanley at Atherftone ; and on the morrow, being informed that Richard had marched from Leicefter to give him battle, hs refolved to fpare him one half of the way. On the twenty-fecond day of Auguft, the two armies came in fight of each other, at Bofworth, which is ren- dered famous in hiftory by the battle v/hich termi- nated tht dilpute between the houfes of York and Lancafter. Richard's army confifted of twelve thoufand m?n well accoutred. The command of the van he conferred on ths duke of Norfolk ; and he himlelf took pod in the center, with the crown upon his head, either as a mark of diftin&ion, or a challenge to h;s adverfary. The earl of Rich- mond drew up his troops, amounting to five thou- fand men ill armed, in two lines ; the command of the firft he gave to the earl of Oxford, while he himfelf concluded the other. Lord Stanley, who quitted Athsrftons, took pod in a piece of ground fronting the interval between the two armies ; and his brother, a: the head of two thoufand men, flood facing him on the oth-r fide. Richard, fufpecling Stanley's defign, ordered him to join his army, and receiving an equivocal anfwer, would have put his fon to death, had- not he been diverted from his purpofe by the remonftrances of his generals, who obferved that fuch a facririce could b^ of no ad- vantage to the royal caufe, but would infallibly provoke Stanley and his brother to join the foe ; though perhaps their intention was fo remain neuter, and declare for the victor. Richard was D, perfuaded by this reprefentation : but he committed a fatal error in leaving the two brothers nc^ liberty O2 tor 19$ HI S T ORY OF EN G L A N D. A. c. >45?5- to aft as they fhould think proper. His army be- ing equal in number to that of Richmond and the Stanleys, when joined together, he ought to have pofted two bodies oppofite to the brothers, with orders to attack them if they mould attempt to join • the enemy, while he himfelf with- the remainder might have given battle to Henry. The two leaders having harangued their foldiers, the earl of Richmond made a motion to the left, in order to avoid a morafs that divided the two armies ; and, by this prudent meafure, not only fe- cured his right flank, but gained another advan- tage, in having the fun at his back, while it (hone full in the face of the enemy. Richard, feeing him approach, commanded the trumpets to found ; and the battle began with a general difchargeof ar- rows, after which the king's army advanced to clofe combat. The lord Stanley, perceiving that the duke of Norfolk extended his line to the left, in order to furround the enemy, fuddenly joined the earl of Richmond's right wing, in order to fuftain the attack •, and Norfolk, feeing this junction, made a halt to clofe his files, which had been too- much opened for the extention of the line. The: match being now pretty equal, the fight was re- newed, though not with equal ardour on both fides. The king's troops feemed to act with re- luctance, and were, in all probability, difpirited by the conduct of the two Stanleys, not knowing but their example might be followed by others in the heat of the engagement : on the other hand, the earl of Oxford charged them with fuch impetuo- fity, as contributed to damp their courage, and fill their hearts with defpondence. Richard, in order to animate them with his prefence and example,, advanced to the front of the battle : there perceiv- ing his competitor, who had quitted the fecond Hne for the lame purpofe, he couched his lance, and, RICHARD III. 197 arid, clapping f'purs to his horfe, ran againft him A c- l**s- with Rich fury, that he killed his flaadard-bearer Sir William Brandon, father of Charles Brandon, afterwards duke of Suffolk, and unhorfcd Sir John Cheney, an officer remarkable for his ftrength and prowefs. Henry, though he did not feem very eager to engage fiich an antagonift, advanced to meet him, and kept him at his fword's point, un- til they were parted by the foldiers, who interpofcd. While Richard made this furious effort againft the perfon of his adverfary, Sir William Stanley de- clared for Richmond, and attacking the royalifts in flank, drove their right wing upon the center, which was fo difordered by the {hock, that it began to fly with the utmoft precipitation -, while the earl of Northumberland, who commanded a feparate body, ftood niotionlefs, and rcfufed to afl againft the enemy. The king, feeing all his endeavours ineffectual to rally his troops, which were by this time in the utmoft confufion, and either fcorning to outlive the difgrace of an overthrow, or dread- ing the thought of falling alive into the hands of his enemy, ruihed into the midft of the battle, where he fought with the moft defperate courage, until he was overpowered by numbers, and fell dead in the midft of thole whom he had (lain. Tho* Deathcf the battle lafted about two hours, including the R;chard.' rime fpent in the purfuir, there was not above one ihou&ndof the royalifts killed on the occafion, be- caufe the greater part fled betimes without fight- ing ; and the earl did not lofe above an hundred men, of whom Sir William Brandon was the moft confiderabie. On the fide of the vanquifhed, be- fides Richard himfelf, the duke of Norfolk * loft his life; the lord Ferrars of Charcley, Sir Richard * The following diftich was fixed Jack of Norfolk be m>t too bold ; on the gate of the hcufe in which the For Dicken thy maflcr is bought au.J •iu kc cf Norfolk lodged at Leicefor : fold. O 3 Radcliff, I98 H I STOR Y OF EN GLAND. A, c. 1485. Ratclifr, and Sir Robert Brackenbury, met with the fame hue ; the earl of Surry, Ton to the duke of Norfolk, was taken prifoner and confined in the Xbwerof London, from- which, however, he was foon fet at liberty. The earl of Northumberland, and feveral partifans of Richard, were taken info favour-, and others had the good fortune to ef- cape : but Catefby, the infamous miniiier and con- fident of the tyrant, who had fo viilainoufly betray- ed Haitings, having fallen into the hands of the victors, was executed in two days after the battle, ac Leicefter, with fome others of the fame ftamp, who had devoted themfelves to the femes of Richard. Immediately after the engagement, the earl of Rich- mond fell down on his knees in rhe open field, and thanked the Almighty for the bleffing he had be- ftowed on h;s arms : then riding up to an eminence, he applauded the foldiers for their valiant behaviour, and promifed to reward them according to their deferts. Richard's crown being found among the fpoils of the field, was, by the lord Stanley, placed upon the head of Henry, who was fainted as king by the whole army ; and from that moment he afiumed the title. Richard's body being (tripped ilark naked, and covered with wounds, filth, and blood, -was -thrown over a horfe's back, with the arms on one fide and the lee;s on the other, and carried to Leicefter, where, after having been ex- pofed two days, and treated with the utmolt indig- nity, it \vas buried in the abbey-church in a private fcollng&ed, 7' J ,. ,•}-., Kali. manner ; though Henry, in refpect to ms family, r.uck. ordered a tomb to be creeled over his grave. * R;cfn«-rs Such was the end of Richard III. the mod cruel, "tsr" unrelenting, tyrant that ever fat on the throne of England. He feems to have been an utter (Iranger to the fofter emotions of the human heart, and en- tirely di-fluute of every ibcial fentiment. His ruling ^aifion was ambition, for the gratifica- tion RICHARD III. 199 tion of which he trampled upon every law, both A- c> '^s- human and divine : but this third of dominion was unattended with the lead mark of generofity, or any defire of rendering himfelf agreeable to his fellow-creatures : it was the ambition of afavage f, not of a prince ; for he was a folitary being, alto- gether detached from the reft of mankind, and incapable of that fatisfaction which refults from private friendfhip and difimerefted fociety. We muft acknowledge, however, that, after his accef- fion to the throne, his adminiftration in general was conducted by the rules of juftice ; that he enacted falutary laws, and eftablimed wife regula- tions ; and that, if his reign had been protracted, he might have proved an excellent king to the Eng- liih nation. He pofieffed an uncommon folidity of judgment, a natural fund of eloquence, the nioft acute penetration, and fuch courage as no danger could difmay. He was dark, filent, and referved, and fo much matter of diflimulation, that it was almofl impoflible to dive into his real fentiments, when he wanted to'conceal his defigns. His ftature was fmall, his afpeft cloudy, fevere, and forbid- ding ; one of his arms was withered, and one fhoulder higher than the other, from which cir- cumftances of deformity he acquired the epkhet of Crook-Back. Richard III. was the laft of the An- jevin race furnamed Plantagenet, which had pof- fefled the crown of England for the fpace of three hundred arid thirty years : but he was not the laft male of that family in England ; for the -earl of Warwick, fon to his brother Clarence, was (till f He was often charafterifed by the The cat, the rat, and Lovcl the dog, name of the boar. And he and his Rule all England under the hog. three favourites Cate/by, Radcliff, and Richard left one natural fon, aminor, Level, were included in a fatiiical whom he had apoointed governor of couplet which was frequently repeated Calais, Guifnes, and all the Marches in his life-time. of Picardy belonging to England. O 4 alive, 200 HISTORYopENGLAND. A. c. H"5- alive, and the only remaining branch of all the numerous pofterhy of the third Edward, which had been almcft totally extinguifhed in the civil war ; a war which had raged for thirty years, and was terminated by the battle of Bofworth, after having coft the lives of above one hundred thoufand Englifhmen, including a great number of princes of the houfes of York and Lancafter, [ 201 ] OF THE CHURCH. From the Death of EDWARD III. to the Union of the two Houfes of Ydrk and Lancafter. WICKLIFF had gained fuch a number of A.C. i177 profelytes. that although the church was WcUiff i j i /- r L • J r*_ • • fummonci alarmed at the progrefs or his doctrine, it to appear could not proceed to extremities with the author, who had not only acquired great popularity, but was, in a particular manner, patronized by the duke of Lancafter and the lord Piercy, who at that time engrofled the whole adminiftration. Pope Gregory XI. directed a bull to the univerfity of Oxford, complaining of that body's conniving at the doctrine of Wickliff; and another to the bimops, command- ing them to examine and fupprefs the opinions of this archheretic. He was accordingly fummoned to a fy- nod at Lambeth, where he explained away in an auk- ward manner, three of his capital pofitions, which gave the greateft offence to the clergy : namely, that dominion was founded on grace ; that the tem- poral power might feize upon the patrimony of the church ; and that no ecclefiaftics ought to be vefted with a coercive power. In the midft of the fynod's deliberations, one Lewis Clifford, a man of fome distinction, entered the aflembly, and in a peremp- tory manner, forbad them to proceed to cenfure againft Wickliff. He was followed by a great number of that reformer's adherents -, fo that the bifhops found it convenient to act with moderation, and to difmifs the culprit, after having enjoined him filence. To this injunction, however, he payed no for: of regard ; and his doctrine continued to gain 202 HISTORf OF ENGLAND. A.C. )3?2. gajn ground^ under the favour of John duke of waifing. Lancafter. S!!tn?r At tne death °^ Gregory XI. there was a com- fucceeds'to petition for the papacy between Urban VI. and AopHcof^ Clement VII. and both k:ing eleded by different Canterbury, factions of cardinals, afchifm in the church enfued. The king of France declared for Clement ; and Urban's title was recognized by the Englifh clergy. In the parliament that preceded this fdiifm, a fta- tute had been enacted in favour of the clergy, em- powering them to bring actions of trefpafs againil purveyors who fhould give them diflurbance, and entitling them to treble damage ; exempting them from indictments and imprifonment, for holding pleas in the fpiritual court ; and fubjedling to im- prifonment and payment of damages, any minuter of the king or other perfon, who fhould arreft or interrupt a clergyman in the exercife of his function. We have, in the civil hiftory, mentioned the fta- tute enacted by the parliament at Weftminfter againil papal provifions, in which there was a claufe, prohibiting any Englifhman from farming the living of an alien, without the king's particular licence. At this period, William Courtney fucceeded to the archbifhopric of Canterbury •, and celebrated the king's marriage, without having received the pall from Rome, which he looked upon as a cere- mony that did not at all affect the rights of his me- tropolitan function. po/HioBs of ln the courfe of the fame year, frefh articles were condemned exhibited againft Wickliff and his followers, parti- a. heretical, cularly Nicholas Repyingdon, whofe books, toge- iwwsSpro- ther with the tenets of Wickliff, underwent a fy- fccuted. nodical cenfure. Thefe doctrines v/ere efpoufed by Philip Repyingdon doctor in divinity, and John Amton, both of the univerfity of Oxford : though the name of Lollards was indifferently given to the followers of Wickliff, and the profelytes of one William O ! T H E C H U R C H. 203 William Smith a mechanic,, and William de Swin- A-c- J3S2- durby a prieft, who vented notions of their own, without Teeming to have any correfpondence with the other. Several tenets of Wickliff had been cenfured by W. de Berton, chancellor of the univer- fity, as erroneous, repugnant to the determinations of the church, and contrary to the catholic verity : and now W. Courtney archbifhop of Canterbury aflembling feven fuffragan prelates, fourteen doctors of the canon and civil law, with feventeen doctors and fix bachelors of divinity, condemned the fol- lowing pofitions as heretical : That the fubftance of Knv htoa< the bread and wine remains in the facrament after confecration : That the accidents do not remain without their fubject, after confecration in the facra- ment : That Chriftis not identically and corporeally prefent in the facrament of the altar : That a biihop or prieft in mortal fin, cannot ordain, confecrate, or baptize : That there is no foundation in the gof- psl to believe that Chrift inftituted mafs : That God ought to obey the devil : That if the pope be a wicked man, he is a member of the devil, and hath no authority over the faithful, nor any com- miflion except from the emperor : That, after the death cf Urban VI. no perfon ought to be ac- knowledged as pope ; but chriftians ought to live independently, like the Greek church ; That eccle- fiaftics ought to have no temporal pofieffions : And that auricular confeffion is unneceffary and fuper- jfiuous. WicklifFs followers, Hereford, Repying- don, and Afhton, were obliged to recant thefe te- nets i and the archbifhop directed all his fufFragans to prevent them from being taught in their refpective diocefes. On the thirteenth day of July, the king ifiued a writ to the chancellor and proctors of the univerfity of Oxford, to expel all graduates fuf- pected of favouring thofe tenets, unlefs they would purge themfelves before the archbilhop of Canter- i bury. 104 H IS TOUT OF & N G LAND, A. c. ,3sj; bury. They were likewifc ordered to fearch for all books written by WicklifT or Hereford, and tranf- mit them to the archbifhop without alteration* fcymer. This order was executed by doctor Rigge, v/ho was by this time chancellor, although he himfelf was fuppofed to favour Wickliff: yet no violence was offered to the perfon of this reformer, who lived unmolefled at his living of Lutterworth in Leicef- termire, where he loon after this period died of the palfy ; nor were the Lollards much troubled in the lequel of this reign, except by fome writs for leizing their books, difperfing their conventicles, and imprifoning their teachers. A. c. 1388. The government feemedto be more upon its guard Meafures againft the encroachments of Rome-, for the king taken by the , ,. , , , n n i eovernmmt obliged the pope s collector to take an oath, that agc'nft-hhe ^e wou^ ke true to ^ie king an^ crown *» that he meiUofthe would do nothing detrimental to the royal prero- yapaJpower. gative, or the laws of the kingdom ; that he would not publifh any letters from the pope, without the permiffion of the king's council ; that he would not export money or plate from the kingdom, nor in- troduce any new cuftoms, without the king's know- ledge and particular licence. At the fame time a writ was directed by the king to the archbifhop of Canterbury, reminding him of his duty, to prevent all illegal impositions on the fubject ; informing him of the exactions of Rome •, the reiolution of the commons to hold thofe perfons guilty of trea- ibn, who fhould bring in papal bulls, or levy im- pofitions in favour of the pope. Writs of the fame nature were directed to the other prelates, forbid- ding them to allow the levy of a tenth which the pope had impofed upon the clergy ; and Darden the pope's nuncio was prohibited from collecting it on pain of forfeiting life and limb. Notwithstanding thefe precautions, a great number of clergymen ventured to ditlegard the king's injunctions, and repaired to Rome, O F T H E C H U R C H. 205 Rome, where they perfuaded pope Boniface IX. A- c- 1&*- who fucceeded Urban, to declare againft the ftatutes of Provifors, Quare impedit, and Premunire : but the government was fo far from repealing thofe laws, that they were confirmed in parliament, which likewife enacted, that any perfon within the realm, bringing or fending fummons, cenfure, or fentence of excommunication, againft any perfon whatfoevcr for his aficr.t to or execution of the faid ftatute of Provifors, mall be arrefted, imprifoned, and for- feit all his lands, tenements, goods, and chattels, and incur the penalty of life and member; and any prelate executing fuch fummons, cenfure, or fen- tence of excommunication, fiiall be deprived of his temporalities ; and they mall remain in the king's hands for due redrefs and correction. The archbifhop's fuffragans, and clergy, protefted J^*^ in general terms againft this bill ; and this proteft CaiSbwy brought an impeachment by the commons on the [fn?e.ached L i? n c £> L r L i . by the cosy archbilhop or Canterbury, for obeying the pope in mor.,. publilhing fuch cenfures, as tended to the open dif- herifon of the crown, the fubverfion of the royal prerogative of the king's laws and his whole realm -, and for aiding and abetting his holinefs in a fchsme v for tranftating Englilh prelates to foreign fees, to the prejudice of the king, the impoverimment of the nation, and contrary to the ftatutes of the realm. The archbifhop in his defence acquitted himfelf intirelyof the charge, protefting that he would ad- here loyally to the king •, and endeavour, as in duty bound, to fupport his majefty in thefeand all other inftances, in which the rights of the crown might be concerned. His answers were extremely agreea- ble to the commons -, the parliament enaded a nsw ftatute of Premunire, more comprehenfive than the former, as it affected not only the procurers, abettors, maintainers, and counfellors, but even the favourers of the papal ufurpadon j Ib that all ap- 7 plication 2o6 H I S T O R Y o r E N G L A N D. A.C. 1333. plication, to a foreign jurifdicHon, either in the court of Rome or elfewhere, in prejudice of the king's crown arid regalky, falls within the penalty of this A. c. i393. When Richard went over to Ireland, the Lol- Addrefsof lards, encouraged by his abfence, prefented an ex- tohpaSrdS travagant remonftrance to parliament, importing, insnt. That faith, hope, and charity, fled from the church of England as foon as (he began to mifmanage her temporalities : That the Englifh priefthood was net derived from Chrift, but from the pope : That the celibacy of the clergy was a fource of fcandalous impurities : That Christendom had been infefled \vith idolatry by the notion of tranfubftantiation : That all exorcifms and benedictions, together with the trompery of confecrating churches, altars, and veftments, favoured more of witchcraft and forcery, than of religion : That the conjunction of civil and fpiritual power in the fame perfon, was fubverlive of all order and good government : That in prayers for the dead, one perfon was preferred to another : That pilgrimage, prayers, and offerings to images and croffes, v/cre abfurd and idolatrous : That au- ricular confeflicn furnilhed the priefts with oppor-, timities to debauch their penitents : That, to de- prive any perfon of his life, either in war, or a court of juftice, was a practice contrary to the do - trine of the New Teftament : and, That female vows to lead a fmgle li&, promoied infamous cor- refpondsnce, abortion, and murder : That, feeing St. Paul has commanded us to be contented witii food and raiment, mankind ought to moderate their defires ; and that goldfmiths, fword- cutlers, and many other kinds of artificers, ought to be fup- prefied, as the inftruments of luxury and homicide. This ftrange addrefs, which concluded with aftanza of rnonidfh Latin verfe, alarmed the clergy to fuch a d'egree, that the archbi(hop of York, and the bi fhop OF THE CHURC H. 207 ftibp of London, fent letters to Richard, complain- A« c- '395* ing bitterly of the infolence of the Lollards. The king returned to England, boiling with indigna- tion againft this tronbleibme feel: of heretics ; an oath of fubmiflion, by way of teft, againft Lol- lardifm, was impofed by the fecular power, and Richard ordered the chancellor of Oxford to expel all thofe ftudents or graduates, who were fufpected of holding fuch opinions. Courtney, archbifhop of Canterbury, dying about A.C. 1396. this period, was fucceedeJ by Arundel archbiftiop Difpute be- of York, who called a convocation at London, JJ^J m which condemned eighteen articles extracted from Arundeian* WicklifFs Triologus, brought in by the canonifts Juyrfo"- and civilians of Oxford, who at the fame time re- ford- preferred, that their exemption by a papal bull, from all archiepifcopal vifitation, left them expofed to the tyranny of the chancellor; and therefore, they earneftly befought the metropolitan to relume the power which he antiently poffeiTed. The arch- bifliop relifhed the propofal, and refolved to vifit the univerfity ; but receiving intimation that he would certainly be oppofed by the chancellor and proctors, he applied to the king, who ifTued a writ directed to the chancellor and ftudents, requiring them to admit the vifitation of the archbifhop, or their ordinary. They ftill pleaded their exemption ; but, at length the difpute was compromifed, and they complied with the vifitation, pretending that they were vifitable by the crown, though not by the archbimop. This prelate being afterwards exiled for high The rope treafon, repaired to Rome, where he was hofpitably received by Boniface IX. who created him archbi- (hop of St. Andrew's in Scotland, and intended to beitow upon him feveral livings in England. Richard, being apprized of his ddfign, wrote Rich a peremptory letter to the pope, that his holinefs thought H 1 S T O R Y o F £ N G L A N D. thought proper to abandon Arundel -, artd at the king's recommendation, filled the fee of Canter- bury with Roger Walden treafurer of England. He imagined that by this compliance he was in- titled to take fome freedoms with Richard ; and tried his intereft accordingly. He tranflated the bifhop of Lincoln to the fee of Chefter, and con- ferred the bifhopric of Lincoln on the famous Henry Beaufort, afterwards cardinal of England. This ftep gave great umbrage to the king, who affembled the clergy ; and demanded whether or not, the pope had authority to create and tranflate biihops in England. They did not choofe to make a direct anfwer to this queftion ; but advifed Ri- chard to write a remonftrance to the pope, defiring him to forbear exerting fuch authority for the fu- ture. Peter de Bofco was afterwards fent over to England as the pope's nuncio, to folicit the affair of provifions in favour of his holinefs •> but he found the king inflexible, though he was politely re- ceived, and gratified with fome valuable prefents. The fchiftn in the church ilill -continuing be- tween Boniface IX. and Benedict XIII. the French king defired the affiftance of Richard in reftoring that union which was fo neceflary for the intereft of Chriftianity ; and the king of England alfembled the moft learned divines of the realm at Oxford, to deliberate on meafures for obtaining this dtfirable end. The refult of their confutation was, that a general council would be the moft fpeedy and ef- fectual method for reuniting Chriftendom in their religious tenets j and they promifed to produce be- fore fuch an affembly, two fhort propofitions that would foon put an end to the fchifm. Twelve of thefe Englifh divines were fent over to France, to fettle fome preliminaries with the doctors of Paris; and the French agreed to the project of a general council, though they inftfted upon a total ceflation of OF THE CHURCH. 209 of the powers of both popes, while the affair mould A- c- ^or' be depending. When Henry IV. afcended the throne, Walden Persecution was expelled by the pope from the fee of Canter- S bury, which wasreftored to Arundel; and now be- gan the perfecution of the Lollards. The parlia- ment enacted fanguinary laws, and invefted the clergy with the power of taking away the lives of their fellow- creatures for mere matters of opinion. The firft victim of this bloody inquifition was Wil- liam Sautre, rector of the parifti of St. Ofych, who had been examined before the convocation, touch- ing fome tenets of Lollardifm i which he thought proper to recant : but, he afterwards rea dopted his former doctrine, and after a fecond hearing, was pronounced an heretic relapfed. Then they di- vefted him of his patent, chalice, and chafhule. They deftroyed his ecclefiaftical tonfure ; he was formally degraded by the archbifhop, dreffed in a lay habit, delivered over to the fecular arm ; and, by virtue of a writ de Heretico comburendo, was the firft who fuffered death for herefy in England. This execution ferved only to inflame the zeal, and propagate the doctrine of Lollards, who deviated ftill more and more from the doctrines of the efta- blifhed church. They affirmed, that the feven fa- craments were no more than fo many dead, unprofi- table fymbols : that celibacy was contrary to the firft great law of God, and ferved to lefien the number of the inhabitants of the New Jerufalem : that the intention, and not the form, conftituted the marriage : that the church was, during the pre- fent practice of religion, no better than the fyna- gogue of Satan : and thar ths facrament of the altar was a morfel of dead bread : that they de- clined bringing their children to be baptized in churches, becaufe the priefts were wicked and im- pure, and would comisunicace their impurity ro N° 45,- F the 210 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A.C. j4o/. the infants they baptized : that there ought to be no diftinction of days : that purgatory was a mere chimera : that penance was a hardfhip and impofi- tion, and altogether fuperfluous, in a finner whofe repentance was fincere. ArcMuAop On the death of Boniface, Innocent VII. fuc- i'aLs pro- ceeded to the papal chair •, and next year, arch- rtfions biftiop Arundel made a vifitation of the univerfity proofs of of Cambridge in right of his fee, and reformed a wickiiffs number of abufes. In the parliament called at Weftminfter, two new ftatutes were enacted againft the encroachments of Rome, ordaining, that no perfon under colour of bulls of exemption pur- chafed from the pope, mould trouble or difturb any prebendaries, keepers of hofpitals, or vicars, in the enjoyment of the tythes due to them in their feveral benefices ; and, that no licence, granted upon provifion to any benefice not yet vacant, fhould be valid or available. In the courfe of this year, one Thorp an ecclefiaftic was committed to prifon by the archbifhop of Canterbury, for cer- tain articles of faith, which were deemed heretical. He refufed to fwear by the bible, becaufe it was no more than a creature, and therefore not intitled to adoration. He believed himfelf infpired by the fame fpirit which directed the apoftles •, and pub- limed a performance called Thorp's Teftament, in which he inveighed againft the hierarchy, affirm- ing, that bilhops and priefts ought to earn their fubfiftence by the work of their hands ; and when paft their labour, fubfift upon charity. In order - to prevent the growth of fuch fanaticifm, and the progrefs of WicklifPs doctrine, archbifhop Arun- del aflembled the bifhops and clergy of his pro- vince at Oxford -, and, after fome deliberation, drew up a body of provifions, enacting, That no prieft fhould preach to the people, unlefs authorized by the ecclefiaftical laws, and approved by the dioce- fan : O> THE CHURCH. ait fan : That all places where conventicles have been A> c- 14°'« held, mould remain under ecclefiaftical interdict, until the perfons who admitted them to preach, fliould have made fatisfaftion : That rio preacher mould broach any dodtrine but fuch as had been determined by holy mother-church, or call in queflion any tenet which me had eftablimed, on pain of excommunication, from which he fliould not be abfolved without having done penance, and publifhed his recantation : That no inftrudtor of youth fliould teach theological points contrary to the determination of the church ; or fuffer his pu- pils to difpute in public or private, concerning mat- ters of faith, on pain of being punimed as a fautor of herefy : That no book of divinity compofed by John Wickliff, or any other perfon fince his time, fhould be read in fchools, until firft examined, ap- proved, and licenfed by one or other of the uni- verfities : That no perfon fhould attempt to tran- flate the holy fcriptures, without being properly authorized by the bifhop of the place, or a provin- cial fjyiod : That no clergyman mould either pro- pound any do&rine of an evil tendency, or fuffer it to be propounded, on pain of incurring the greater excommunication : That all decrees, decretals, or conftitutions, touching the worfhip of the crofs, and of images, with all other outward ceremonies, mould be punctually obferved, under the penalty incurred by an heretic relapfed : That no clerk or chaplain mould officiate in any part of the province in which he was not ordained, unlefs furnifhed with letters of recommendation by his diocefan 5 - and, That in order to prevent the poifon of he- refy from fpreading in the univerfity, every warden, mafter, or principal of college or hallj fhould in- quire every month into the opinions and principles of the fludents, reform their errors, and expel them in cafe «f obftinacy and relapfe ; otherwife the faid P 2 w arden* 212 HISTORY or ENGLAND. A. c. »4oi. wardens fhould lofe their preferment, and be excom* Knvghton. municated. Council of > general council being lummoned to meet at Pifa. Pifa, to concert meafures for removing the fchifm in the church ; Henry Chicheley bifhop of St. David's, Robert Allen bifhop of Salisbury, and the prior of Canterbury, were chofen in convocation as deputies, to aflift at the faid council, to which the king fent Sir John Colvil, and Nicholas Rickfton, as his A. c. T4c9/ ambaffadors. On the twenty-fifth day of March, this great alTembly met, confiding of two and twenty cardinals, four patriarchs, twelve arch- bifhops prefent, and fourteen reprefented by proxy, fourfcore bifttops befides proxies, eighty- feven ab- bots, and ambaffadors from all the crowned heads, independent princes, and ftates of Europe. The two popes were fummoned to appear, and fubmit to the decifion of this council i but, as they did Hened'ci not obey the citation, the affembly, after having and Gregory confumec| thirteen feffions in preliminary difcuffions, condemned . .-, , , , l , ' , a/ichtima- at lalt decreed the two precenaers to the papacy, tcs- namely, Benedict X11I. and Gregory XII. incorri- Baronius. gible Ichifmatics, and perjured heretics. They were deprived of ail tide and authority ; all their tranfadtions were declared void and of no effeft ; and the apoftolical fee was pronounced vacant. Copies of thefe rdblutions being fent to all the powers in Europe, the cardinals, at the defire of the touncH, proceeded to the eleclion of a new pope -, ajid their choice fell upon Peter de Candia cardinal of Milan, who aiTumed the name of Alexander V. pupate In the fucceeding year, WicklifPs opinions were ritn^Tween con^ernned afrelh, in full congregation at Oxford, archbiAop by order of the chancellor. Two hundred con- the^ivw- c^u^ons were condemned by the univerfity, and fit/of Ox- feveral books committed to the flames. Thefe feve- rities, however, could not hinder Lollardifm from gaining OF THE CHURCH, 213 gaming ground in the univerfity, which tb? arch- A. 0.1409. bifhop vifited whh great pomp, accompanied by his nephew the earl of Aruhdel : he was m?t at fome diftance from the city by the members of the col- leges, headed by Richard Courtney the chancellor, who told the metropolitan, that they mould be proud to entertain his grace, who, he hoped, had no other defign than to fee the univerfity, as they enjoyed an immunity by a papal bull from all archiepifcopal vifitation. Arundel was greatly of- fended at this addrefs, of which he complained to the king, who reprimanded the univerfity ; and an obftinate difpute enfued. At length, both par- ties referred their caufe to the determination of his majefty, who decided in favour of the archbifhop. This award being afterwards confirmed by parlia- ment, Arundel fent his delegates to Oxford, in or- der to enquire into the progrefs of Loliardifm ; and the members of the univerfity chofe twelve exami- ners to co-operate in this inquifition. A great number of conclufions were cenfured i and all thofe iufpedted of favouring fuch opinions were impri- foned or put into the hands of the archbifhop, who applied to the pope for a bull to confirm the cen~ lures which he approved i and for another, that would impower him to dig up the bones of Wick- Jiff. The firft was readily granted ; but the other poftponed. In the parliament which met on theA. c. 141*; third day of November at Weftminfter, Sir John Tiptoft, fpeaker of the houfe of commons, fpoke with great warmth againft the Lollards, as a very dangerous feft ; and the houfe of lords addrefied the king in a remonftrance, importing, that they endeavoured to excite the people to deprive the pre- lates of their temporal poffc/Tions ; and publimed, than: Richard late king of England was alive : they therefore petitioned for a ftatute, ordaining, that any perfon preaching, publifhing, or maintaining any P 3 dofrrine, 214 HISTORYorENGLAND. A. c. 1411. doctrine, whereby the people might be moved to take away the temporal poffeffions of the prelates, or propagating any report of Richard's being alive, fhould be arrefted, imprifoned, and obliged to find fufficient bail and mainprize, to be taken before the chancellor of England. The king granted the requeft of the lords ; and this was the laft aft of perfecution againft the Lollards that pafled in the Wailing, courfe of this reign. Trial of sir When Henry V. fucceeded to the throne, the S1"01" Lollards expected more indulgence, as this prince feemed to be a latitudinarian in his religious prin- ciples, and was particularly connected by the ties of friendmip with Sir John Oldcaftle, who was their great patron. They were miferably difap- pointed in this hope ; for Henry V. was not only bigotted to the religion in which he had been edu- cated, bu,t refolved to live upon good terms with the clergy, whofe afiiftance he forefaw would be necefiary towards the execution of the great fcheme he had projected againft France. Moved by thefe considerations, he left the;n in the full enjoyment of their jurifdic~lion ; and one of the firft perfons againft whom they exerted their authority, was Sir John Oldcaftle, who efpoufed the opinions of Wick- liff, which we have already explained. He was fummoned to the ecclefiaftical court by repeated citations, to which he paid no regard : then he was apprehended, and brought before the archbifhop, who declared himfelf ready to abfolve him, if he would recant his errors, and move for abfolution. In anfwer to this infinuation, Sir John pulled a pa- per from his bofom, aud delivered it to the prelate, who having perufed the contents, faid, his princi- ples were good in the main ; but there was a ne- ceffity for his explaining himfelf further on tran- fubftantiation, and auricular confeffion. The knight refuting to make any other declaration on thefe OF THE CHURCH. 21 thefe points, but what was contained in the written- AiC **' paper, was committed to the Tower-, and next day received fome quseries from the archbifhop, touch- ing his opinion of the bread and wine in the facra- ment of the altar, auricular confefiion, the power of the pope, pilgrimage, and the v/orfhip of re- lics and images. He was defired to confider theft: articles, and prepare his anhvers by the twenty- ieventh day of September, when thj convocation , would fit at Black- Friars. Being brought into this aficmbly by Sir Robert Morley, lieutenant of the Tower, he behaved with all the indifcretion of a hot-headed enthufiaft. When the archbifliop admoniihed him to crave the benediction of the court, he anfwered, Maledicam benedicYionibus veftris, Curfe on your benedictions. Even after this indecent reply, the archbifliop told him, that if he would defire abfolution in the common form, » he mould have it without hefitation. To this inti- mation he anfwered, that he would demand no ab- folution where he had given no offence. So faying, he fell upon his knees, and in an enthufiaftic rhap- fody, confeffed all his fins to God, in the hearing of the whole afiembly. Being questioned concern- ing the eucharift, he profefled his belief, thaj:, after confecradon, Chrift's very body was prefent in form of bread, the fame individual body that was born of the Virgin Mary. Then he was aiked, whether or not it was the material bread afcer con- fecration ? and turning to the archbifhop, ** I be- " lieve (faid he) it is Chrift's body in form of tc bread. Sir, believe you not this r" " Yes, marry, ** do I !" replied the archbifhop. The dodors then interpofing, defired to know if he thought any part of the bread remained after confccration j and, he replied it is both Chrift's body and bread. This was the rock upon which he fplit; for, notwith- jftanding his explanation, fupported by texts of P 4 fcripture3 6 HISTORY OP ENGLAND. . 1413. fcripture, they declared the opinion heretical ; and, when he challenged them to prove it herefy, they appealed to the determination of holy-church. Sir John, being warmed in his own defence, treat- ed the doctors v/ith contempt -, and would not even allow the church to be holy, fince me had been infected with the poifon of wordly pofiefiions. Doctor Walden, a noted theologift of thofe times, undertook to confute Oldcaftle by argument, and the difpute was inflamed to the moft bitter alterca- tion ; but very little to the purpofe was laid on either fide : Sir John compared them to Annas and Caiphas, who fate in judgment upon Chrift, and afterwards on his apoftles. " Thebifhops of Rome " (faid he) were formerly pious martyrs ; but, " fince they were infected with the poifon of worldly " polfcfiion, they have depofed, poifoned, curfed, " and affamnated one another ; they have rilled the ic whole earth with cruelty and mifchief. Chrift " wasrneek and merciful •, the pope is proud, tyran- " nous •, Chrift was poor and compamonate, the " pope is rich, arrogant, and a barbarous man- u flayer. Rome is the very neft of Antichrift, ct from whence come all his difciples : prelates, " priefts, and monks, are the body, and their " (haven friars the tail, which covereth his moft " filthy part." Such obloquy could not fail to exafperate the affembly, which being unanimous in finding him guilty, the archbifhop pronounced the fentence of condemnation ; and, though he made his efcape from the Tower, he was after- wards apprehended, and fuffered death both as a traitor and heretic, by being hanged and burned at Tyburn. 'U?on the death of Alexander V. Balthafar the Cofla was chofcn his fuccefibr, under the name of ~ Jonn XXIII. and convoked 'a general council at Conftance, with the conlcnt of the emperor Sigif- mund OF THE CHURCH. jnund • whofe aim was not only to abolifh the fchifms which ftill continued in the church, but alfo to root out the herefy of Wickliff, which had by this time made great progrefs in Bohemia, by the teaching and preaching of John Hufs, and Jerome of Prague. When the council met on the fixteenth day of November, the officers and fer- vants of the afiemby were equally elected out of the five, nations of which it was compofed, namely, Englifh, Italians, French, Spaniards, and Ger- mans. They agreed to range the fathers of the council under thefe five nations ; and that the pleurality of voices mould determine all matters propofed. On the twenty-eighth day of Novem- ber, John Hufs arrived at Conftance -, and, tho* he pleaded the fafe-conduct of the emperor, was arrefted by order of the pope, who told him he had never granted a fafe-conduct, and was not bound by that of the emperor. On the twenty third day of December the emperor appeared in council, which proceeded to bu finds ; and after much de- bate, it was found abfolutely neceflary towards the re-eftablimment of peacf and union in the church, that not only the antipopes, Gregory and Bene- dict, fhould be divefted of all authority, but even John XXIII. mould abdicate his papal dignity. This laft, confciousof many enormities in his own conduit, for which he dreaded profectition, feem- ingly agreed to the propofal. The emperor was to pleafed with his compliance, that he took: off his crown, and kified the pope's feet ; and all the members of the council promifed to fupport him againft his two rivals, mould they refufe to follow his example. John's confent was the effect of dif- fimulation. On pretence of going to Nice, that he and Benedict might make their renunciation to- gether, he wanted to efcape from Conftance, that he might put an end to die council. Sigifmund fufpe&ing 218 HISTORYoFENGLAND. A. CM4M- fufpecting his defign, ordered the avenues of the city to be guarded ; and fent the patriarch of An- tioch to John, requiring him to appoint proctors for making the renunciation in his name. The pope declining this propofal, he was prefsnted with the following refolutions of the allembly : That the council had been juftly called, and fairly aflembled : That even, though deferted by the pope, or any other prelates, it fhould continue in being and authority, until the ichifm fhould be ex- tirpated, and a univerfal reformation in faith and morals take place, both in the head and members of the church : That the council fhould not be re- moved to any other place, nor any prelates or others depart without lufficient reafon : That the pope himfelf fhould not quit the afTembly, but ap- point a proctor, to renounce in his name all title to the papal authority. To thefe articles John re- plied, that it would be more convenient for him- felf and the council to remove to Nice, where the king of Arragon and Benedict might confer with the emperor ; and that the appointment of a proc- tor was unneceflary, as he intended to make the renunciation in his own perfon. This anfwer plain- ly demonftrated the intention of the pope, who, notwithftanding the emperor's precautions, made his efcape by the affiftance of the duke of Auftria, and the elector of Mentz, to Schaffhoufen, from whence he fent four cardinals to difiblve the coun- cil. This conduct produced the famous decree, importing, that this council reprefenting the catho- lic church militant, had received immediately from Jefus Chrift, a power, which perfons of all condi- tions, even popes themfelves, were obliged to obey in every thing concerning the faith, the extirpa- tion of the fchifm, and reformation of the church. John protefted againft their proceedings ; and they fent ambaffadors, invitinc him to return : but, be iniifte4 OF THE CHURCH, 219 infifted upon fuch high terms, that they altered A« c- '^ their drain, and fummoned him to appear in nine days, on pain of being proceeded againft as a fu- gitive and delinquent. The emperor perceiving, that he depended intirely upon the protection of the duke of Auftria, invaded that dutchy with a nu- merous army, to the great terror of the duke, who humbled himfelf before Sigifmund, and purchafed his peace, by making the pope prifoner atFribourg. In the mean time, the council condemned the doc- trines of Wickliff, pronounced him and his me- mory accurfed, and decreed, that his bones mould be dug up and fcattered about with infamy. Then they chofe commiflioners to manage the procefs againft the pope, who was accufed of having by fimony obtained the dignity of cardinal : of hav- ing fold ecclefiaftical preferments : of having at- tempted to poifon his predeceflbr : fold indulgences and relics, alienated the goods and porTefiions of churches and monafteries, denied the refurrection, and a future fiate : of having led a very diffolute life, addicted to all manner of vices : of having neglected the duties of religion : of having de- bauched nuns, and lived in criminal and inceftuous communication with his own brother's wife. Being convicted on thefe articles, the council fufpended him from the exercife of all papal power, fpiritual and temporal ; and a deputation of cardinals was fent to inform him of the fentence. He exprefied the utmoft refignation to the decrees of the af- fembly, and faid, he hoped they would have fome regard to the ^condition of life in which he had hitherto appeared ; at the fame time, he wrote a very humble letter to Sigifmund, craving his fa- vour and protection : but, notwithstanding all his fubmifiion and intreaties, the council proceeded to tfee fentence of depofition •, and decreed, that neither of 220 HISTORY OF E.N GLAND, 4.c. 14.4. Of tjie three competitors mould be mentioned m the enfuing election. Proceeding? The papacy being thus declared vacant, they Hufta/d011" be§>an tne trial °f J°^n Hufs tne fatn°us Bohe- jwomTof mian reformer, who was convicted of herefy, and Prague. committed to the flames, in direct violation of the fafe-conduct which had been granted to him by Sigifmund ; a breach of faith that will reflect eter- nal difgrace on the memory of that emperor. His friend and companion Jerome de Prague met with the fame fate ; and both behaved with the courage, fimplicity, and chriftian charity of the primitive martyrs. They were accufed of having maintain- ed impious, horrible, and damnable opinions. They were condemned as feditious, obftinate, in- corrigible difciples and defenders of Wickliff; hardened, crafty, malicious, and convicted here- tics. Notwithftanding this heavy charge, John Hufs adopted no part of WicklirPs doctrine, but what concerned the hierarchy or" the church, and the manners of the clergy. He believed tranfub- ftantiation and the expediency of image-worfhip : but, he affirmed the hierarchy of the church was not founded in fcripture : that the exceflive au- thority of popes, cardinals, and bimops, was mere utiirpation : that the clergy in general were cor- rupted in their manners i and the benefactions to, the church fhamefully mifapplied. The council ufed all their art to draw him into a doubt or de- nial of tranfubftantiation ; and as he would not confefs any fuch principle, he was convicted of it on the depofition of evidence. This article was inferted in his fentence merely as a pretext i but every unprejudiced perfon will perceive and own, that he and his companion were facrificed to the temporal imeretl of the clergy. It was noc the faith but the authority of the church ihey thought OF I-HE CHURCH. 221 in danger : the fame principle manifefted itfelf in A c- HH« thus condemning the adminiftration of the com- munion in both fpecies. This they did not con- demn as a thing evil in itfelf •> on the contrary, they owned it had been practifed in the ancient church, But, they pronounced an arfathema againft thofe who aflerted, that the church had no right to abolifh that practice. With refpect to fome other ftrange doctrines which fell under their cognizance, as they did not affect the power of the clergy, the council proceeded upon them with furprifmg indif- ference. John Petit, a lawyer in the dominions of the duke of Burgundy, maintained, that each in- dividual had a right to flay a tyrant even by treachery : and this proportion being prefented to the council, that alfembly, after much felicitation, declared it erroneous, without puniming, or even naming the author. The feet of Flagillators af- ferted many capital errors, which being difcufled by the council, it was refolved to find out fome gentle means for bringing them back into the pale of the church. The fame coldnefs they manifefted in the work of reformation which was fo neceffary. A lift of abufes indeed was made out, and they agreed upon the model of reformation : but, by the artifice and intrigues of the cardinals and others, the execution of this plan was poftponed, and after- wards wholly laid afide. The council now refolved to choofe a new pope-, and, for this purpofe, fix prelates were chofenout of each of the five nations, and joined as arTefTors to the cardinals, in whom the power of electing was formerly vefted : it was de- creed that no perfon mould be deemed duly elect- ed without having in his favour two thirds of the cardinals and afleffbrs ; and that the ftadthonfe of the city mould be prepared as a conclave to be guarded by the emperor and magUlrates. They accordingly entered their cells j and, being fhut' to up, 222 H I S T O R Y o F E N G L A N D. A.C. 1414- up, elevated to the papal chair Otho de Colonna, cardinal deacon of St. George, a Roman nobleman, Martin v. wno affumed the name of Martin V. John, who chofenpope. had been depofed, was committed to the cuftody >En!syiv. °f tne bifliop of Winchefter, from whom he made Poggius. his efcape ; anj^ the new pope difiblved the council Ra?m* on the twenty -fecond day of April, after it had continued fitting for the fpace of four years. A.C. 1418. In the mean time the perfecution raged among Perfection the Lollards in England, where John Cleyden, a £SSsin ci"zen °f London, anc] one Richard Turming, a baker, were burned in Smithfield. The archbifhop* in convocation^ enacted a conftitution, directed to his fuffragans, enjoining them to make ftrict fearch and enquiry twice a year after the perfons fufpected of herefy, that they might be proceeded againft accord- ing to law, and either committed to prifon or to the flames, as the nature of their crimes might require. A fynod, being convened by the archbilhop of Can- terbury at London, granted two tenths as a fupply for the war in France ; and the duke of Bedford notified to the afTembly the election of pope Mar- tin V. whofe elevation was celebrated with re- joicings, anthems, and other acts of devotion. The afiembly then enadted a decree for regulating the graduations at the two univerfides, which de- cree met with great oppofition at Oxford and Cam- bridge ; though it was at laft received by the in- terpofition of Henry V. who was himfelf a patron of learning. Pope Martin began to encroach upon the liberties of the Englifli church with the fame arbitrary power which had been exercifed by his predeceifors : he difpofed of bifhoprics by way of provifion, and vacated the elections of the chapters. Henry, in order to put a flop to this ufurpation, as alfo to reform a number of abufes which had crept in among the clergy, fent John Ketterick, bifhop of Coventry and Litchfield, to demand of the pope an OF THE CHURCH. 223 an exprefs Concordat, to which his holinefs agreed. A- C- I4i8- In a convocation, held at this period in London, one Richard Walker, a prieft of Worcefter, was tried and convided of witchcraft, which he fo- lemnly renounced, and did public penance. Many people were likewife obliged to abjure Lollardifm -, and the aflembly granted a large fubfidy to the king, who fuppreffed the French monafteries in England, and granted their lands to other colleges of the learned. After this king's marriage, a convocation held at London prefented the king with a tenth, on condition that his purveyors fhould not encroach upon the goods of churchmen ; and that no clergy- man mould be imprifoned but for theft and mur- „ Goodw.n. der. Pope Martin having fummoned a new council at c™*~ Pavia, the archbifhop of Canterbury held another convocation for the eledton of delegates, the names of whom were returned to the king, that he might pitch upon thofe who mould reprelent the Englifh clergy at the enfuing council : a fum of money was Hkewiie voted for the expence of their journey. William White, a prieft, was cenfured for herefy, and recanted ; Henry Webb, of Worcefter, was ftripped and publicly fcourged in the cathedrals of St. Paul's, Worcefter, and Bath •, William Taylor, mafter of arts, was profecuted for herefy, recanted, refapfed, and was delivered over to the fecular arm. In a fubfequent convocation a decree pafied for the A-c- collation of benefices on the fcholars of Oxford and Cambridge, which was confirmed by ad of parliament. Some canons were enacted for mode- rating the fees of inftitutions and inductions ; and for publifhing and executing the provincial confti- tution of archbimop Sudbury againft the excefllve ftipends of parochial prielts and others. Archbi- fhop Chichely was famous for a great number of conftitutions which hz enacted ; enjoining the cele- bration 224 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A c. 14*1* bration of feftivals •, regulating the probates of ^ wills by adminiftration ; inftituting a kind of in- quifition againft Lollardifm ; providing againft falfe weights •, reviving the conftitution of John Peek- ham, archbifhop of Canterbury, who decreed that thofe cafes and articles, in which the fentence of the greater excommunication was incurred, fhould he publicly declared in every parifh church for the information of the people ; and augmenting the ftipends of vicars, who were allowed to fue for *' c' *439' fuch augmentation in forma pauperum. t^Blnedk- Towards the latter end of the reign of the fifth tine monks. Henry, the Benedidline monks were become fo luxurious and difiblute, that the king infifted upon a reformation ; and a provincial Capitulary for that purpofe was held in the Chapter-houfe at Weft- minfler ; where it was ordained, That the abbots fhould employ their attention in the care of fouls : That the extravagance of their equipage fhould be retrenched, fo as that none fliould be attended by above twenty horfe, under a fevere temporal pe- nalty : That they fhould never make a gift of the effects of the convent above the value of forty mil- lings : That they fhould be uniform in the colour and fafhion of their habits : That their necefiities fhould be fupplied in kind and not in money : That they mould not have diftindk private cells for the entertainment of female guefts : and, That they fhould be reftri&ed from going into cities and towns to affift at compotations and merry-makings. By writs dated July 10, 1422, the king ordered the two archbifhops to arTemble their clergy in convo- cation, that they might grant a fubfidy for the fup- port of the French warj but the lower clergy al- ledged they were not properly impowered by their conftituents to grant money : fo that the ailembly was diffolved without having come to any refolution in, the king's favour. During this feflion, Robert Hake OF THE G H U R C H. 225 Hake and Thomas Drayton, two priefb, were ac- A-c- H39- cufed of herefy, becaufe they refuied to kneel co a crucifix, wereinpoiTeflionof books written again ft the doctrine of tranfubftantiation, and inveighed againft auricular confeffion as an invention of the devil. Though thefe allegations could not be proved, they were obliged to renounce all thefe tenets at St. Paul's crofs ; and one Ruffel, a mir.orite, was ordered to make the fame recantation, for having maintained that tythes were not claimable by divine right. Archbifhop Chicheley was certainly a great ene- chicheiey my to Lollardifm -t but at the fame time it muft "JJ^*^6 be owned, he was a bold defender of the church mentsouhe of England againft papal encroachments. In his^0hp^^i3 firft convocation he moved for annulling papal perfected. exemptions •, he oppofed the great power with which the pope had invefted the cardinal bifoop of Eng- land. He prefented to the king a full extract of the nature, extent, and mifchievous confequences of the legatine office. As the cardinal was em- Waifing. powered to hold the bifhopric of Winchefter in commendam, he remonflrated againft the practice, as unprecedented in England ; he reprefented that the Englifti church needed no fuch fupplemental buttrefies as the power of legates a latere : that this office had been always dangerous to the crown of England, even when limited to one year ^ and that the danger muft be much greater from 'the cardinal's commiffion, which was for life. Henry V. protected the archbimop againft the vengeance of the pope, who was incenfed againft that prelate for his oppofition to the encroachments of Rome, and much more fo for his acquiefcence in the ftatute of premunire. The king's eyes were no fooner clofed, than he poured forth his indignation in a letter to Chicheley, wherein he accufed him of having neglected his paftoral care, and minding nothing buc the means of amafling wealth. He N-°, 45- -CL l*ld 6 HISTORY OF ENGLAND; c- '435- faid the archbifhop fuffered his flock to bronze on poifonous herbs ; and that when wolves came to devour them, he flood like a dumb dog without fo much as barking. Then he inveighed againft the flatute of premunire, as an act that repealed the laws of God and the church, and deftroyed the antient ufages of the kingdom. He complained that Jews, Turks, and Infidels of all forts, were allowed to land in England •, whereas any perfon commifTioned by the holy fee, was treated as a com- mon enemy : and he concluded with an order to the archbifhop to repair to the council, and ufe all his intereft there and in the parliament for the re- peal of this ftatute ; otherwise he mould incur the penalty of excommunication. Chichejey fent an apology for his conduct to Rome •, notwithftanding which he was again fevcrely reprimanded, and his le- gatine power fuipended. From this fentence he ap- pealed to a future council •, or, if that fhould not fit, to the tribunal of God. Martin wrote monitory let- ters to all the clergy in England, expatiating upon the illegality of the acts of proviibrs and premu- nire. He fent a letter to the two archbifhops, an- nulling all thole ftatutes, and forbidding the metro- politans to act upon the authority of fuch laws, on pain of excommunication ; and at the fame time wrote a monitory letter to the people of England, which he charged the archbifnop to publifh and affix in all public places. The archbifhop of York, and the bimops of London, Durham, and Lincoln, wrote to his holinefs in favour of Chicheley. Their example was followed by the univerfity of Oxford, which gave teftimony greatly to the honour of the archbifhop's character, and termed him the golden candleftick of the church of England. Thefe re- commendations were accompanied with a fubmif- five letter of the prelate's own writing : but, in fpite of all this interpofition, Martin remained implaca- ble, OF THE CHURCH. 227 ble, and fummoned ChicKeJey to Rome, as anA-c 242 H I S r O R Y o F E N G L A N D. A. €.1485. won-, and Te Deum being again celebrated, h'2 repaired to his lodging at the bifnop's palace. In a few days after his arrival at London, he aflfembled a council of all the nobility and perfons of diftinction who happened to be at his court, or in the neighbourhood 5 and folemnly renewed the oath he had formerly ta'ksn to wed the princefs Elizabeth. He found this Peep abfolutely necefiary, to deftroy a report that he was actually engaged to racon. marry Anne daughter and heir of the duke of Brittany. He had always intended to fulfil his firft obligation ; but his intention was to defer his marriage until he fhould have received the crown, left he fhould be fuppofed to ftrengthen his right The fa-eat- by that union with the houfe of York. In the mgficknefs. month of September, the city of London and fome parts of the kingdom were afflicted with a new dif- temper called the fweating ficknefs, a kind of ma- lignant fever, which made great havoc, and of which the patient commonly died in four and twenty hours. This malady, however, did not rage long ; and even before it difappeared, the method of cure was pretty well afcertained. Among the fir (I ac~ts of Henry's fovereignty, he beftowed the government of the Tower upon the earl of Ox- ford, who had been always a zealous partifan for the houfe of Lancailer. Then he publifhed a pro- clamation, fpecifying that he had concluded one year's truce with the king of France : a circum- ilance that operated to his advantage in England, which was the better difpofed to obey his govern- ment, on account of his title's being acknowledged by fuch a prince as Charles, even before it was re- cognized by his own parliament. His next ftep was to recompence thofe to whom he lay under the Pymer*. greateft obligations. His uncle Jafper earl of t'rrmitions. 7S , i iiinii r r i Pembroke, who. had afted the part of a father td him in his youth, and more than once delivered him HENRY VII. 243 him from the fnares of his enemies, was created A- c- J485- duke of Bedford, The earldom of Derby was conferred upon Thomas lord Stanley his own fa- ther-in-law, to whom he owed the victory at Bof- worth ; and, Edward Courtney was honoured with the title of earl of Devonmire. The ceremony of the coronation was performed c°«>natioii; on the thirtieth day of October, by cardinal Bour- meat, ft!'" chier archbilhop of Canterbury ; and that fame day j*> Henry inftimted a body-guard of fifty archers, called yeomen, under the command of a captain^ to be in continual attendance on his perfon •, which band has been kept up by all his fucceflbrs. On the feventh day of November, the parliament meet- ing at Weftminfter, intailed the crown upon Henry, not by way of recognition or ordinance, but in the manner of fetdement ; enabling, 1 hat the inheritance of the crown fhould reft, remain, and abide, in him and the heirs of his body ; and this ftatute was afterwards confirmed by the pope's bull^ in which, however, his titles or" ddcent and conqueft were recited. The 'act of fettlement and fucceffion being pafled, a difficulty arofe about the reverfal of the fentences of attainder, which had been de- nounced againft Henry's adherents. A good num- ber of theic were actually returned to fcrve in this parliament; and Ibme members obferved, thac they could not with anyjuiticefit as judges in their own caufe. The king referred this point to the decifion of the judges, who were unanimoufly of opinion, that the members in queftion mould ab- fent themfelves from the parliament, until their attainder fhould be annulled by a new ftatute. Ano- ther debate enfued, touching the king himfelf, who had been declared traitor and rebel by an authentic act of parliament. This was a more knotty point than the former j becaufe he could not de- tach himielf from parliament without its being 7. 2 diiiolved ; 244 HISTORY OF ENGLAND; A. c. 14^5. diflblved : nor was he at all difpofed to fubmit to a parliamentary inquiry. On this occafion the judges declared, that the pofieflion of the throne takes away all defeats, and clears the poffeffor from all fentence, crime, or attainder. Thefe affairs be- ing difcuffed, the parliament proceeded to pafs a bill of attainder againft the late king, under the name of Richard duke of Gloucefter, as well as againft the duke of Norfolk, the earl of Surrey, lord Lovel, lord Ferrers, lord Zouch, Richard Ratcliffe, William Catefby, and feveral other ad- herents of Richard. Thus, he at once gratified his revenge and his avarice ; for, the confifcations produced fuch large fums, that he could not with any decency afk a fubfidy from parliament. When he had in this manner taken vengeance on his ene- mies, and rilled his coffers, he publiftied a gene- ral amnefty in favour of all thofe who had taken up arms againft him, provided they fhould make their fubmiffion within a limited time; and imme- diately a great number quitted fanctuary, and took the oath of allegiance. Before the parliament broke up, the lord of Chandos, a native of Brittany, was created earl of Bath, Sir Giles D'Aubeny was pro- rioted to the title of a baron, and Sir Robert Wil- loughby was made lord Brooke : at the fame time, the king reftored to Edward Strafford the title of duke of Buckingham, which he had loft by the attainder of his father ; and re-eftablimed him in poffeffion of the family-eftate, which had been confifcated in the laft reign. The feffion being finimed about the latter end of November, Henry fent into France Oliver King archdeacon of Oxford, with money to reimburfe king Charles, for the fums he had lent towards equipping the armament which had conveyed the earl of Richmond into England; fo that the mar- quis of Dorfet and Sir John Bourchier, who re- mained HENRY VII. 244 mained as hoftages, were fet at liberty. Oliver A- c- '4*5« was likewife veiled with power to prolong the truce between the two kingdoms, ftiould he find Charles inclined to this expedient. In order to difcharge the obligation of the loan, Henry attempted to borrow fix thoufand marks of the city of London ; but, it was with great difficulty that they confent- ed to lend him two thoufand pounds, which he thankfully received, and punctually repayed. About The biflu>p« this period John Morton and Richard Fox, bifhops Jfx^yrand of Ely and Exeter, were admitted into the privy made Pnvy council. The former was, after the death of arch- cou»fellers- biihop Bourchier, promoted to the fee of Canter- bury j while Fox was made keeper of the privy feal, and afterwards advanced through the fees of Bath and Durham, to the bimopric of Winchef- ter. Thefe two prelates, and one Urfewick the king's chaplain, were always employed in the moft important commifiions, embaflies, and negotia- tions. The king chofe ecclefiaftics for his mini- llers, not only becaufe they were generally better qualified than the laity, but alfo becaufe it was in his power to recompence their fervices with church benefices, which faved him the expence of gratify- ing them from his own private finances : and this was a very powerful confideration with a prince whofe predominant paffion was avarice. Although Henry hated the houfe of York in A. c. 1486. his heart, he found it neceflary to fulfil the pro- "esntrjmar" mife he had made to marry the princefs Elizabeth j princefs and the nuptials were folemnized on the eighteenth Elizabeth. day of January, to the inexprefiible joy of the na- tion. The demonftrations of popular fatisfaction which appeared on this occafion, were extremely mortifying to the king, who confidered them as fo many marks of affection to the houfe of York, for which he had conceived fuch averfion, that his fjueen was always treated by him with the utmoft R 3 coldnefs 24S H I S T O R Y o F E N G L A N D. A. 9.1486. coldnefs and indifference. He never let flip an opportunity to humble the partifans of that houfe, towards whom he ever acted rather as the chief of a party, than as an equitable fovereign. The folemnization of the king's nuptials was the more agreeable to the people, as it was immediately pre- ceded by the tidings of a truce concluded for three years with Charles of France, who had formed a project againft Brittany, and willingly liftened to the propofal of a truce, which would hinder the king of England from fupporting that dutchyT Henry, on the other hand, being ignorant of his defigns, thought the friendfliip of fuch a monarch would render him the more formidable to his do- Rymer. meftic enemies. jteheiiion After his marriage he made a progrefs into the portnein counties, v/hich had been in a particular fnanner attached to the perfon of Richard; and pafled his 'Eafter holidays at Lincoln, hoping that his prefence, and fome acts of favour, would enr firely difpel any difcontent that might prevail in that country. While he refided in this city, he received intimation, that the lord Lovel, with Humphrey and Thomas SrrafTord, had privately withdrawn from the fanctuary at Colcheiter. But, he payed very little regard to this intelligence, and proceeded to York, where he underftood that LQ- yel was on his march towards that place, at the head of three or four thoufand men ; and, that the two Staflfords' had in veiled the city of Worcefler. Henry was the more alarmed at this information, as he found himfelf in the midft of the malcontents, \vith whom he fuppofed the rabels carried on a correfpondence. Neverthelefs, he concealed his fears and fufpicion, and immediately iffued com- mifTions for levying troops in the neighbourhood of York, where his officers met with fuch fuccefs, that in a little time, they raifed a body of three thoufand HENRY VIT. 247 ithoufand men ; the command of which was given A. 9.1^3 6. ,to the king's uncle the duke of Bedford. This nobleman was fent againft the rebels, with exprefs orders to avoid a battle, as the men were raw, undil- ciplined, and but indifferently affected to the caufe ; but he was instructed to approach them with a good countenance, and publifli a pardon in the king's name, to all thofe who mould lay down their arms and fubmit. This expedient fucceeded to the king's wifh. The pardon was nofooner proclaim- H;/I. ^ey- ed, than lord Lovel, in apprehenfion of being land- Coat- abandoned by, his troops, retired alone into Lan- cafaire, where he lay for fome time concealed in the houfe of his friend Sir Thomas Broughton ; and then croffing the fea, repaired to the court of the dutchefs dowager of Burgundy. The two Straf- fords no fooner heard of this tranfaction than they raifed the fiege of Worcefter; and being forfaksn by their followers, retired to the church of Coin- ham, where they took fanctuary. The court of King's-Bench declaring, that the privilege of this place did not extend to traitors, they were taken thence by force : the elder brother Humphrey was executed at Tyburn, and the younger pardoned, in confideration of his youth, and of his having been feduced by the other. On the third day of July, a. truce far three years was concluded with James king of Scotland ; and, in the courfe of the fame month, John le Bouteiller lord of Maupertuis, ambalfador from Francis II. duke of Brecagne, prolonged, in his mailer's name, the truce between England and that country, until the death of one of the contracting princes ; but, it was Stipulated, that the treaty of commerce be- tween the two nations mould continue to the death of the lad liver. On the twentieth day of Septem- n;rth of ber, the queen was in the eighth month of her preg- Pri?ce .. r ° • i P Arthur. nancy, delivered or a ion, who was baptized by R 4 the ISTOR Y OF ENGLAND, A.C. i4?6 the name of Arthur, in memory of the famous Britilh Arthur, from whence the king affected to derive his origin. The people hoped, that the birth of this prince would warm the king's indifference into a real affection for the mother : but, when they perceived it had no fuch effect ; that he de- layed her coronation ; took all opportunities of de- preffing the friends of the houfe of York, which was generally beloved throughout the whole king- dom ; that his difpofition was fordid and illiberal ; and, that his temper was fullen and referved, they began to look upon him with deteftation, and even to think they had made a bad exchange for the tyrant Richard. His enemies took this opportunity to infinuate, that he intended to murder the earl of Warwick in the Tower ; and the emiflaries of the houfe of York whifpered about, that the duke of York had made his efcape from the cruelty of his uncle, and was ftill alive on the continent. jLamtat The univerfal joy exprefied by the Englim people We! the""" at this report, encouraged Richard Simon, a prieft ead of of Oxford, to devife a fcheme which was equally ex- TYarwick. , .. TTLJ MIIJ ••.. •-<••*• travagant and enterpnzmg. He had a pupil called Lambert Simnel, the illegitimate fon of a joiner, a youth of uncommon vivacity and extraordinary perfonal accomplifhments ; and, him he refolved to pafs upon the world as Richard duke of York, the fecond fon of the fourth Edward. While he was employed in preparing this actor for the ftage, jt was rumored, that Edward Plantagenet earl of Warwick had efcaped from the Tower j and Simon immediately changing his plan, determined that his pupil mould perfonate this nobleman ; a fcheme much more extravagant than the other, if we con- jfider, that the fon of Clarence had been, after his father's death, honourably maintained in the court of his uncle Edward, until he was ten years of age; and that therefore, his perfon was well known to a HENRY VII. great number of people. Notwithftanding this ob- A c- H8$ ftacle, Simon continued to inftruct his pupil in his new part ; and when he thought the impofture ripe, he conveyed him to Ireland, where he knew he fhould not run fuch a rifque of detection as in England. There he hoped the young man would be powerfully fupported, as that kingdom revered the memory of Clarence, who had been their gover- nor ; and as Henry had not yet fuperfeded the public officers who had been appointed by Richard. For, though the duke of Bedford had been declar- ed viceroy of Ireland, he ftill continued in Eng- land : Thomas Fitzgerald earl of Kildare governed as his deputy, and his brother poffefled the poft of chancellor in that kingdom. As they were both partifans of the houfe of York, in all probability, they had by their emifTaries privately concerted this fcheme with Simon, who was likewife fuppofed to have been encouraged by the queen dowager, who deeply refented Henry's behaviour to her daughter. The king had been informed, that fomething was brewing in Ireland to the prejudice of his govern- ment, and ordered the earl of Kildare to appear at his court in London : but, that nobleman had fuch intereft in the council, that they wrote a letter to Henry, reprefenting the earl's prefence as abfo- lutely neceflary in Ireland •, and he was excufed in confequence of this remonftrance. When Simnel arrived at Dublin, he forthwith simnei is addrefled himfelf to the earl, in quality of earl of cro™cd ; TTT • - i_ -i-ii Dublin, Warwick, recounting the manner in which he pre- tended to have efcaped from the Tower ; and tho* the deputy -lieutenant and his brother did not open- ly efpoufe his caufe at his firft landing, their omit- ting to apprehend fuch a pretender, plainly indi- cates their connivance at the impofture. They waited to fee the effects of the deceit among the common people, who received Simnel with tran- fports HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 6. fports of joy, *as the fon of their beloved Clarence. Then the earl of Kildare, and his brother the chancellor, having conferred with their friends and confidents, waited upon Simnel at his * lodgings •> from whence he was conducted with great iblem- nity to the caftle, where he was treated as a prince, and behaved with fuch dignity of deportment, as overcame the fufpicion of many people, who at firft doubted the truth of his preteniiorw. The popular dream was fo much in his favour, that in a few days he was proclaimed king of England, and lord of Ireland, under the name of Edward VI. and not a fword was drawn, nor one mouth cpened in behalf of Henry. Such an event could not but be alarming to the king, who now faw himfelf attacked in his weakeft part, namely, his title, and in a country wholly .devoted to his adverfaries, which he could not pre- tend to fubdue without a very confiderable ex- pence : befides, he apprehended, that the fire which had broke out in Ireland would foon com- municate to the other kingdom, by means of fecret correfpondence, the nature and manner of which he did not know. Perplexed by thefe confidera- tions, he contened his privy council, in order to deliberate upon the meafures to be taken in fuch , an emergency ; and here, in all probability, he fignified his fufpicion of his mother-in -Jaw the queen dowager ; for fhe was immediately confined • in the monaitery of Bermondfey -, and deprived of her whole eftate, without any form of rp:ocefs. The whole nation exclaimed againft this act of feverity, which he in vain endeavoured to pal- liate, by giving out that this punilliment was in- flicted upon her for having delivered her daugh- ters into the hands of Richard : a pretence which ferved only to inflame the refentment of the peo- ple, who thought it very ftrange, that the queen. fhould HENRY VII. 251 fliould be fo feverely puniflied for that which A-c- '4*6. was rather maternal weaknefs than any premedi- tated crime. Befides, they could not comprehend Baco«- the meaning of Henry's having fo long delayed to take cognizance of this affair : they thought his marrying the daughter was an acknowledgment of the mother's innocence, or at leaft, a tacit for- givenefs of the fault. They confidered that fhe had been one of the chief inftruments of his eleva- tion to the throne, and therefore could not help detefting his ingratitude •, arid, in this rigorous treatment, they perceived a formed defign to feize all opportunities of completing the ruin of the houfe of York, and its adherents. There was fome myftery in this confinement of the queen mo- ther, which never was explained to the public. As all hidorians agree that me was certainly concerned in the affair of Simnel, the king, in all probability, could have convicted her in a legal manner of the confpiracy ; or at leaft fixed upon her fuch ftrong fufpicion, as would have given a plaufible colour to the fteps he took for fecuring her perfon. But, fuch a procefs would have introduced an inquiry, which he feemed to avoid. Perhaps, it would have appeared, that the queen-mother had not complied with Richard's defire in fending her daughters to court, until he had taken fome extra- ordinary ftep to quiet her fears. Perhaps, that fa- tisfaction confifted in his conniving at the efcape of his furviving nephew from the Tower. By means of this conjecture we can account for the queen's confidence in the_tyrant, who had brought her kin- dred to the fcaffbld, as well as for Henry's beha- viour at this juncture, when, perhaps, me played off the phantom Simnel, in order to found the in- clination of the people, and pave the way for ex- hibiting her own fon upon the ftage. This fup- pofuiorr likewife explains the cafe of Perkin War- beck, 252 HISTORY of ENGLAND. A.C. r486. beck, and the inflexibility of Henry, who could never be prevailed upon to releafe his mother-in-law, though the whole nation clamoured at her impri- fonment, which continued for fome years, until death fet her at liberty. So7nrla°nd The °,ueen being ^cured in the monaftery of lord Uvei Bermondfey, Henry, in order to undeceive the po- SimnS.for pulace, who began to believe that the earl of War- wick was actually in Ireland, ordered that youag prince to be conducted publicly through the ftreets of London, from the Tower to St. Paul's church, whither the people went in vaft crouds to behold him ; and he was permitted to converfe with feveral individuals, who were well acquainted with his per- Ware- fon, and well affected to his family. After this proceflion, he was fent back to the Tower ; but, the Irilh retorted the impofture upon Henry, affirm- ing, that the youth whom he had produced was a counterfeit ; and that Simnel was the true earl of Warwick. The king fearing the contagion would fpread into England, published a general amnefty for thofe who mould quit the party of the rebels, with promife of reward to fuch as mould come and difcover the particulars of the confpiracy. At the fame time, he ordered the coafts to be guarded, to cut off all correfpondence between the malcon- tents of the two kingdoms. Notwithftanding all his precautions, the pretender acquired fome power- ful friends in England ; or rather, the prieft who tutored Simnel, had been encouraged by perfons of the firft quality, to produce this impoftor, whom he would have hardly prefumed to exhibit without fome promife of confiderable fupport. He no fooner made his appearance in Ireland, than John earl of Lincoln, whom his uncle Richard III. had declared prefumptive heir of the crown, openly efpoufed his caufe, and embarked for Flanders in order to con- cert with his aunt Margaret dutchefs dowager of Burgundy^ HENRY VII. 253 Burgundy, the proper meafures for infuring fuccefs *. 9.148?. to the enterprize. That princefs being incenfed at Henry's behaviour to her niece, and the virulence with which he perfecuted all the partifans of the houfe of York, readily engaged in the fcheme of Simnel, which in all probability had been projected with her privity and concurrence ; and after heaving deliberated with Lincoln and Lovel, promifed to furnilh two thoufand veteran German troops, com- manded by Martin Swart, an officer of reputation, which mould accompany them to Ireland, jtnd join the new king's party. They accordingly fet fail in A- c- »4*7«' the beginning of May ; and arrived in fafety at Dublin, where Simnel was crowned with great fo- lemnity in the cathedral, by the bifhops of Armagh, Dublin, Meath, and Derry, in prefence of the earl of Kildare, the chancellor, and all the other officers of ftate belonging to that kingdom. This cere- Rymer. mony being performed with a crown taken from the ftatue of the Virgin Mary, the new king af- fembled a kind of parliament, in which the clergy granted a fubfidy to the pope, in hope of render- ing his holinefs propitious to their undertaking. Then a council was held, to regulate the meafures to be next purfued ;. and after fome debate, they agreed, that the feat of the war mould be tranf- ferred to England, where they expected to be joined by all the favourers of the houfe of York, fo as to be able to depofe the ufurper without the leaft difr ficulty. In the mean time, Henry was employed in. making preparations to defend himfelf againft the impending llorm. He was no fooner informed of Lincoln's retreat to Flanders, than he took it for granted that the dutchefs of Burgundy was con- cerned in the confpiracy •, and was the more alarmed as he knew the enterprizing difpofition of that princefs, whofe hatred he had incurred. He forth- with H I S TO R Y ot EN G LA N D. Wjtj1 levie^ two armies, the command of which h* beftowed upon the duke of Bedford and the earl of Oxford, in order to guard both fides of the ifland from invafion ; and during the winter he made a progrefs through the counties of Suffolk and Nor- folk, where he had mofl reafon to expect a defcent, on account of their neighbourhood to the Low Countries. When he arrived at St. Edmundfbury, he received intimation that the marquis of Dorfet was on the road to vifit him, that he might vindi- cate himfelf from fome malicious imputations, and offer his fervice to his majefty : but Henry, inftead of accepting his offer, fent the earl of Oxford to meet and conduct him prifoner to the Tower, tho* he was defired to allure the marquis, that, after the extinction of the rebellion, he mould have a fair hearing ; and that his prefent arreft would conduce to his own fafety, by hindering him from being milled by evil counfellors. From Edmundfbury the king repaired to Norwich, where he kept his Chriftmas j thence he proceeded in pilgrimage to vific our Lady's church of Walfingham ; and then returned by the way of Cambridge to London. Here he learned, that the earl of Lincoln with his foreign auxiliaries had landed in Ireland : fo that being freed from his apprehenfionof a defcent from Flanders, he afTembled all his troops in the neigh- bourhood of Coventry, which is in the heart of the kingdom ; and repairing to that city in perfon, re- folved to wait for more certain information touching the defigns of the enemy. Henry de- He had not remained long in this fituation, when feats and he was informed that Simnel and his friends were MUt stoke, .landed in Lancafhire, and joined by Sir Thomas Broughton, and a fmall number of Englifh mal- contents. They had begun their march towards York, in hope of feeing their numbers daily in- creafe : and they forbore all acts of hoilility in the country HENRY VII. 255 country through which they paffed, with a view to *• Ci '^87- intereft the people in their favour. They were, however, miferably difappointed in their expecta- tion. The natives, either dreading the fagacity and fortune of Henry, or averfe to a king introduced by the Irifh and Germans, far from taking arms in his favour, exhibited no marks of good will to the enterprize -, and the earl of Lincoln fearing that his army, confifting of eight thoufand men, would ra- • ther diminifh than increafe, refolved to give battle to the king before all his force mould be affembled. For this purpofe, he changed his route, and marched towards Newark, in hope of making himfelf mafter of that place before the arrival of the enemy. Henry had advanced to Nottingham, at the head of fix thoufand men ; and being joined by an equal number, under the command of the earl of Shrewf- bury, the lord Strange, with a confiderable number of knights and gentlemen •, he, with the advice of his council, determined to engage the rebels with- out delay. Guefling Lincoln's defign upon the town of Newark, he marched thither with, great expedition, and pofted himfelf between the enemy and the town, while the earl of Lincoln encamped on the declivity of a hill near the village of Stoke. Next day, being the fixth of June, Henry drew up his army in order of battle upon the plain, which was fo narrow, that he could not extend his front ; and, therefore he was obliged to form his troops into three lines, placing his beft men in the firft, to the number of fix thoufand. The enemy did not decline the engagement ; on the contrary, they marched down in order, and attacked the royalifts with great intrepidity, hoping, that mould they be able to break the king's firft line, it would fall back on the other two, and put the whole army in confufion. The naked Irifh, though terribly galled by the Englifh arrows, maintained their ground 2^6 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A c. 1487. ground without flinching ; and the German troops being well difciplined and inured to war, fought with great obftinacy for three hours, until by far the greater part was (lain, with Martin Swart their Bacon. leader. The earls of Lincoln and Kildare met with the fame fate ; and their army was totally routed, with the lofs of four thoufand men killed upon the field of battle. Nor was the victory cheaply pur- chafed by the king, one half of whofe firft line was cut in pieces. Lambert Simnel, and his tutor were taken prifoners -, and Henry affected to defpife his rival fo much, that he would not deprive him of his life ; but retained him as a fcullion in his kitchen, from which low ftation he was afterwards promoted to the place of a falconer. Simon the prieft was committed to prifon, and never heard of after his commitment. The lord Lovel is by fome fuppofed to have been drowned in the Trent, endeavouring to ford that river after the battle •, others affirm he was (lain in the action •, and a third fet believe he patted the remainder of his life in a vault or ca- vern * . Henry Immediately after the battle, the king marched to fleeces the ... . . c \ L j j ^.r i i makon- Lincoln, from whence he advanced to York ; and, **"'• in this progrefs feverely punimed all thofe who had favoured the rebels, or were convicted of having cir- culated a report, that the king's army was defeated : a report which had hindered fome powerful fuccours from joining Henry before the battle. Thofe delin- quents were tried partly by commiffioners, and partly by martial law i but, the punifhment fell upon their eflates only, the king being fatisfied with filling his coffers by fines and confifcations. * This laft notion is countenanced terraneous room, the figure of a vene- by a difcovery made about fixty years rable old man fitting in a great chair » ago at this nobleman's featof Minfter- but, when touched, the body fell into Lovel in Oxfordfliire. The workmen duft, Carte, in repairing the houfe, found in a fub- When HENRY Vlt. 257 When he had fleeced the malcontents in this man- A c *&}• her, he procured a bull from the pope, impowering the archbilhop of Canterbury to abfolve them of the excommunication they had incurred by the former bull of fettlement, as if he had been follicitous about the falvation of thofe who fought his ruin. At the Aft- ^ fame time, Innocent VI II. lent over another bullj reftraining the privilege of fancluaries within pro- per bounds. He ordained, that malefaclors who had quitted the fanduary to commit frefh crimes, and returned again to it for fheher, might be forci- bly taken from it by the king's officers : that, with refpecr, to debtors, who took fan6uary in order to defraud their creditors, the privilege mould extend to their perfons only, and not to their eftates ; and that the king might fend guards into the fancluary, to prevent the efcape of traitors and rebels While Pkaof a Henry refided at York, deputies arrived from Scot- JS^uS!* ' land, to terminate fome difference concerning the filhery of the river Efk •, and the king took this opportunity of beginning a negotiation with James the Scottifh monarch, to whofe court he lent Fox bifhop of Exeter, and Sir Richard Edgecomb, as his ambafiadors, to treat of a triple alliance. The treaty was projected, and they agreed to the fol- lowing articles : That the Scottiih marquis of Or- mondfhould marry Catherine daughter of the fourth Edward : That James himfelf mould efpoufe Ed- tvard's widow : That his fon the prince of Scotland fliould be matched with another daughter of that monarch : That the king of England mould cede for ever the town and caftle of Berwick to the Scots : That the articles and conditions of thofe three mar- riages mould be regulated by the commuTioners of the two kings, to be afiembled at Edinburgh, firft in January, and then in May : That the two kings fhould have an interview in the month of July ; and, That the truce (hould be prolonged fo$ thsr- N°. 46. S teen 2-58 HISTORY OF EN G LAND. A. 0.1487. teen months. Henry ratified thefe conventions on the twentieth day of November : but, the execution of the treaty was prevented by the troubles that en- fued in Scotland. The queen's The king in his journey to the North had oc- coronation. cagon to perceive, that the difcontents of the peo- ple proceeded in a great meafure from his feverity to the partifans of the houfe of York, and in parti- cular to his having fo long delayed the queen's coronation. He therefore refolved to remove this fubject of complaint. About the beginning of No- vember he returned to London, which he entered in triumph ; and next day went in proceffion to St. Paul's church, where Te Deum was fung for the victory he had obtained over the rebels. Then he appointed the duke of Bedford high fteward for the coronation of the queen, which was performed with the ufual folemnities, on the twenty- fifth day of No- vember, two years after her marriage. Upon this occafion, he fet at liberty the marquis of Dorfet, v/ithout having brought him to any trial ; and to- wards the latter end of the year, fent a folemn em- baffy to the pope, with intimation of his marriage, and proffers of fervice and fpiritual obedience. A (bits of xhe war ft ill continued in the Low Countries, where the troops of Charles VIII. furprifed St. Omer and Terouenne; and the inhabitants of Ghent were incited by a nobleman, called RafHngbam, to revolt againft Maximilian. By this time Francis II. duke of Brittany, was old, infirm, and at cer- tain times deprived of his fenfes : having no fons, lie, with the confent of his eftates, fettled the fuc- ceflion upon his two daughters, Anne and I label, which lad died before her father ; fo'that Anne be- came fole heirefs of Bretagne. Charles VIII. was defirous of uniting that dutchy with France, by marrying this princefs -, but his views were thwarted by Lewis duke of Orleans, whom he had perfecuted HENRY VII. 259 at the inftigation of his fifter Madam de Beaujeu, A. 0.1487, and compelled to fly for fhelter into Brittany, where he met with a very hofpitable reception, and gained an afcendancy over Francis. This prince being incenfed againft his own nobility, who had put his favourite Landais to death, gladly entertained the duke of Orleans, with the prince of Orange, the count de Dunois, and fome other French noblemen of that party ; and the lords of Bretagne entered into a negotiation with Charles, though their mo- tives were very different from thofe by which the French king was actuated when he concluded the alliance. He thought the treaty would furnifli him with an opportunity to make a complete cor.queft of Bretagne, while they hoped his protection would fcreen them from the refentment and arbitrary de- figns of their own fovereign. In purfuance of this treaty, Charles invaded Brittany with fix different armies ; and the duke, retiring to Maletroit, af- fembled fixteen thoufand men, with whom he be- gan his march, to raife the fiege of PJoermel, which,,Ar§;ntr=- the enemy had undertaken -, but, as he advanced, he found himfelf abandoned by all his forces, except about four thoufand ; and retreated with great preci- pitation to Nantz, which was befieged by the French after they had reduced Ploermel, Vannes, and Di- nant. The duke had commifiioned the count de Dunois as his ambaflador, to follicit fuccours of the king of England ; and that nobleman had em- barked four different times on this embafiy, but was always driven back by contrary winds or tempef« tuous weather. While Charles was employed in the fiege of chari« of Nantz, he received advice of the victory which J^"n Henry had obtained at Stokefield, and immediately e-nbafly to difpatched ambafladors to congratulate him upon Henry> his good fortune, and endeavour to difluade him from intermeddling in the affairs of Bretagne. They S 2 found 26o H I S.T O R Y OP EN G L AND, A.C. i48r. found him at Leicefter, where they were admitted to an audience ; in which, after the compliments of congratulation, they obferved that the king their fovereign found himfelf obliged to engage in a war with the duke of Brittany, who had given protec- tion to the duke of Orleans, the declared enemy of Charles ; and even afiifted him in exciting trou- bles in the kingdom of France : that therefore the duke of Brittany was in effect the aggrefibr : and the French king hoped, from the equity of Henry, that he would confider him in no other light. That, although the king had formerly lain under fome obligations to the duke of Brittany, he would like- wife remember the afiiftance he had received from the French monarch, at the time when the duke had not only abandoned his intereft, but even agreed to deliver him into the hands of his enemy. For which reafons, Charles hoped the kingof England, far from engaging in the defence of the duke of Brit- tany, who protected and encouraged the rebellious fubjecls of his neighbour prince, would efpoufe the intereft of his real friend, or at lead obferve an exact neutrality. Henry was not ignorant of the defign with which Charles had taken the field ; but, as the French ambafladors had carefully avoided touching upon their mailer's real fcheme of re- uniting Brittany to the kingdom of France, he diflembled in his turn, and replied, That as the French king and the duke of Brittany were the two princes to whom he was more obliged than to all the world befides, he longed for an opportunity of manifesting his gratitude to both. He faid he would, upon this occafion, fulfil the duty of a real friend, and endeavour to compromife their diffe- rence in an amicable manner. He did not imagine that Bretagne would be eafily conquered. He did noc doubt that Charles would accept of his media- tion, rather than incur his refinement j and he fore- faw HENRY VII. 261 faw that this affair would furnifh him with a pre- A-C-H«7. tence for demanding a fubfidy, which he mould have no occafion to expend. In chefe fentiments he difpatched ambafladors Hen*y offers with offers of his mediation to king Charles ; *is metiia- and, mould thefe be accepted, they were ordered J^SS^ST to proceed to the duke of Bretagne with the fame jj^jr™ce3 propofal. Charles was then employed in the fiege chaliwand of Nantz ; and, as it was his intereft to amufe ghet;1unte of Henry until the place mould be taken, he not only accepted his mediation, but alfo offered to fubmit the difpute to his final decifion ; hoping either that the duke of Brittany would reject the arbitra- tion, or that the negotiation might be fpun out until he mould be matter of the dutchy. When the Englifli ambafladors propofed their matter's mediation to the duke, who was befieged in Nantz, the duke of Orleans replied in the name of that prince, that in fuch a perilous conjuncture, he ex- pected fubttantial affiftance from the king of Eng- land, rather than offers of mediation, which could not prevent the lofs of his dominions : he defircd their king would remember the benefits he had re- ceived from the duke of Brittany, and confider how much it imported England to hinder that dutchy from becoming a province of France. With Argentr^ this anfcer the ambaffadors were difmilfed, and Charles triumphed greatly in his affected modera- tion. Mean while he carried on his attacks with fuch vigour, that the place mutt have been furren- dered, had not the count de Dunois affembled a great multitude of peafants, who were anxious about the fate of their fove reign, and relieved the town in the face of the French army. This fup- ply obliged Charles to raile the fiege ; and Henry being now fully psrfuaded that the French king would not be able to conquer Brittany, refolved to continue neuter \ but at the fame time affected, to S 3 inteieft 262 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A. c. 1487. Jntereft himfelf warmly in the duke's favour, that he might have a pretext for demanding a fubfidy from the parliament which he had convoked for the ninth day of November. Mean while he fent back the ambafladors to renew their efforts for a negotiation. Thedukeof The lord Widcville, the queen's uncle, follicited fsrTfoJ ° ' the king's permifTion to engage in the fervice of diughier in tne duke of Brittany with a number of volunteers ; thekingof and, though Henry denied his requeft, he em- thcRomam. barked privately at the Ifle of Wight with four hundred men, who were no fooner landed in the duke's dominions, than Charles complained of them to the Englifh ambafladors, as a body of aux- iliaries fent in violation of the neutrality which the king of England affected to maintain. Henry, however, difavowing this ftep of the lord Wide- ville as a clandeftine tranfacYion, Charles was fa- tisfied, becaufe it was not his intereft to break with the king of England at fuch a juncture ; for by this time the noblemen of Brittany, perceiving the intention of the French king was to make a conqueft of their country, had made peace with their fove- reign, who could not however prevent Charles from taking the town of Dol by aflault; fo that the duke, thinking himfelf unfafe at Nantz, re^ tired to Rennes, in hope of being fuccoured by fome of his allies : there, finding himfelf hard prcfled by the enemy, and feeing no profpect of im - mediate affi (lance, he fuffered himfelf to be per- fuaded by the prince of Orange to promife he would bellow his daughter Anne in marriage upon the king of the Romans ; and that prince engaged to bring a powerful army into Bretagne \ but he was prevented by the revolt of Ghent, which em- ployed al his forces in Flanders. Tnr/afti- During thefe tranfaclions on the continent, the J™jnajar~ Englifh ambafiadors returned to London, and re- ported HENRY VII. 263 ported to Henry that the intention of Charles was A- c- H8:* to amufe him with a negotiation until Bretagne Ihould be conquered. The parliament meeting at Weftminfter, the feffion was opened with a fpeech by the archbimop of Canterbury, chancellor of the realm, who, in the king's name, having thank- ed the two houfes for the ads they had pafTed in his favour at their laft fitting, gave them to under- Hand, that with refpect to the war between France and Bretagne, Charles had defired he would obferve a neutrality, and the duke had follicited his af- fiftance : that he had offered his mediation, which was accepted by the French king, on condition that he fhould not difcontinue hoitilities, until the difference fhould be compromifed ; but that this con- dition was rejected by the duke of Brittany, who dif- trufled the fmcerity of Charles, and obferved that his aim was to fpin out the negotiation until the dutchy mould be fubdued •, that after having inef- fectually employed his beft offices to terminate the difpute by an accommodation, he begged the ad- vice of his parliament; and defired they would confider whether or not he ought to interpofe more effectual meafures for the preiervation of Bretagne, This was a queftion that required very little con- fideration : the Englilh were too jealous of the power of France to rtand tamely, and fee it aug- mented by the acceflion of fuch a maritime pro- vince, which they counfelled the king to defend with all his might ; and that he might be enabled to affift the duke effectually, they granted a fupply of two fifteenths, befides a poll tax upon aliens, and another act of refumption. In this feffion they confirmed the authority of the Star-chamber, a court which had hitherto fubfifted by the ancient common laws of the realm. It confided of the members of the king's council, who fat in an apart- ment called the Star-chamber, from the cieling, S 4 which 264 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A.C. 1487. vvliich was painted with ftars, to judge offences under the degree of capital. The parliament like- wife enacted aftature, by which any fervant of the king, under the degiee of a nobleman, confpiring the death of any member of the council, or lord of the realm, mould be deemed guilty of a capital ?3Con. crime. The fame penalty was extended to thofe Up;. Pari. who fhculd obtain poffefiion of women by force, howfoevtr they might afterwards be reconciled to their ravifhers. A law was made for the more ef- fectual prevention of murder and manflaughter. Another ftatute ordained that clerks convicted fhould be burned in the hand, for a tafte of punifh- ment and brand of infamy, from which they had been hitherto exempted. A third decreed that the king's officers and farmers mould forfeit their places and holds, in cafe of unlawful retainer, or being concerned in riots and illegal affemblies. Several whokfome regulations were made for the preven- tion of uiury, the fecurity of the king's cuftoms, and the employment of foreign commodities im- ported into i he kingdom. Tfcedukeof • j-|enry havinp accompliilied his aim, which was fcritlany :s , ' . <-> » . . defeated by a fuofidy, inftead of employing it in vigorous the French meafurcs refumed the method of negotiation, and Icing at St. ' e> , , . 4ab;n. fent amb?.fiadors again to Charles, to make him acquainted with the refolution of the parliament. 7 he French king, who was no ftranger to Henry's fentiments and dilpofition, (till continued to amufe him by declaring himfelf ready to abide by the de- ciiion of the king of England: but he abfolutely refufed to interrupt his operations, alledging that luch interruption woujd enable his adverfary to retrieve his affairs ; neverthelefs the duke of Bre- tagne gained by the approach of winter what he could not obtain by Henry's follicitations. The king of France was obliged to put his troops in quarters, and return to Paris, while the duke not only HENRY VII. 265 only enjoyed a refpite, but, by the valour and ac- A. c. 1488* tivity of the marechal Rieux, retook Vannes and Dinan, in the, month of March, and lecured An- cennis and Chateaubriant, with ftrong garrifons : at the fame time a fmall body of men at arms, belonging to the lord of Albret, deferted the fer- vice of France, and joined the duke of Brittany. This fmile of fortune was of fhort duration : in the Mezerai. month of April Charles began the campaign, re- took and demolimed Ancennis and Chateau- Briant ; and at one time inverted Fougeres and St. Aubin de Cormier. In the beginning of the war the duke of Bretagne had endeavoured to detach the lord of Albret from the interelt of France, by promifing to give him his daughter in marriage; and now that nobleman embracing the propofal, joined him with a body of a thoufand horfe, in ex- pectation of feeing his promife immediately ful- filled. Francis, who had in private betrothed his daughter to Maximilian, tutored the princefs, who was about eleven years of age, to exprefs a perfonal averfion to the match ; and this ferved as a pretence for delaying the marriage. Mean while, finding himfelf altogether unable to cope with the French, and being difappointed in his expecta- tions from Henry and the king of the Romans, he fent the count de Dunois to follicit Charles for peace. That king was then engaged in a private negotiation for a truce with the king of England ; and therefore deferred giving a pofitive anfwer, on various pretences, until he received advice that the treaty was concluded at Windfor : then having nothing to fear from Henry, he rejected the duke's propolals, and refolved to continue the war until he mould have made an intire conqueft of the ducchy. The duke's affairs being now defperate, his chief counsellors, the duke of Orleans, the prince of Orange, and the marechal Rieux, refolvecj to make one vigorous effort, by giving battle to the enemy. 266 HISTORYoF ENGLAND. A.C. 1488. enemy. With this view they marched towards St. Aubin, which had capitulated before they arrived •, and the French army being reunited under the command of Lewis de la Tremouille, a battle en- fued on the twenty-eighth day of July, when the forces of Brittany were routed with great (laughter : the duke of Orleans and the prince of Orange, Argentre. who fought on foot, were taken prifoners, and the lord Wideville was (lain, with all his followers. While the duke of Bretagne thus precipitated his own ruin, the king of England made his diftrefs a pretext for levying the fubfidy with the utmoft ex- pedition ; and all the counties payed it without murmuring, except the inhabitants of Yorkfhire and the bifhopric of Durham, who, as old parti- fans of the houfe of York, hated Henry, and re- fufed to comply with the conditions of the tax, which they faid was a grievous oppreffion. The commifiioners being thus repulfed, addrefled them- felves to the earl of Northumberland, who wrote to court for directions -, and the king infifted pe- remptorily on their paying their proportion of the fubfidy which had been granted by parliament -, obierving that the affairs of Bretagne were very preffing; and that mould he relinquifh his right on this occafion, other counties would be encou- raged to claim the fame exemption. The earl no fooner received this anfwer, than he affembled the justices and freeholders of the county, and fignified his majefty's pleafure in fuch imperious terms, as not only confirmed them in their refolution to re- fule payment, but alfo excited their refentment againlt the earl, whom they confidered as the per- fon who had fomented the king's indignation. Thus mitigated, the popukce immediately affembled, and breaking into his houfe, (lew him with a good number of his fervants. They were animated by a popular incendiary called John a Chamber •, and choofing HENRY VII. 267 choofing for their leader Sir John Egrcmont, a very A c- ****• turbulent partifan of the houfe of York, they avowed their rebellion -, declaring they would march to London, and give battle to Henry. The news of this infurrection did not much alarm the king, though he forthwith fent a body of troops againft the rebels, under the command of the earl of Surrey, whom he had releafed from the Tower, and admitted into his favour. That nobleman, enga- ging the infurgents, routed them at the firft onfet, and made John a Chamber prifoner ; but Sir John Egremont efcaped, and, eroding the fea, took re- fuge with the dutchefs dowager of Burgundy. The king, who followed the earl of Surrey with another body of troops, proceeded in his progrefs north- ward as far as York, where he ordered John a Chamber to be hanged, with a great number of his accomplices, and granted a general pardon to the reft of the rebels. Having conftituted the earl of Surrey his lieutenant in the northern parts, and appointed Sir Richard Tunftall his principal com- miffioner for levying the fubfidy, he returned to London, where he was furprifed with the tidings of the duke of Bretagne's being defeated at St. Aubin. That prince was now reduced to a deplorable Treaty be- condition : he had nothing to expect from Henry Jj"" J1* but fruitlefs negotiations. Maximilian, inftead of France and fuccouring his future father -in law, was himfelf ^JjJ* of imprifoned by the Flemings at Bruges, and re- mained in confinement until his father Frederick, the emperor, marched into the Low Countries at the head of a numerous army to his relief. He was fo intent upon fortifying himfelf againft the mu- tinous fpirit of the Flemings, that, forgetting all his engagements with the duke of Brittany, he fent an embafly into Spain to demand of Ferdinand and his cjueen their eldeft daughter Ifabel for himfelf, and 268 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A. c. 1483. an(j tne yOUnger infanta Jane for his fon Philip : the former was already promiied to the prince of Portugal, but the fecond part of his propofal took cffccl in the fequel. Mean while Philip de Cleves, lord of Ravenftein, being chofen general by the inhabitants of Ghent, furprifed the city of BrurTels : and Maximilian retired to Germany, leaving Al- bert duke of Saxony to command for his fon Phi- lip in the Low Countries. The duke of Brittany, being thus abandoned by all the world, fued for peace in the moft humble manner ; and found Charles very well difpofed to grant his requeft. That politic monarch, though he had concluded a truce with Henry, perceived from the tem- per of the Englifh nation, that their king would find himfelf obliged to take fome vigorous mea- fures for the defence of Brittany •, and thofe he re- folved to prevent by a treaty with the duke, which he would no farther obferve than he mould find it convenient for his own purpofes : their confe- rences were accordingly opened ; and about the. latter end of Auguft a treaty of peace was concluded at Vorger, on condition that Charles mould retain A*aS t^ie P^aces ne nad conquered, and withdraw his troops from the other parts of Brittany. Bmuny60 Immediately after the ratification of this treaty, dies, and Francis II. duke of Brittany died in a very old age, dare/him- leaving his daughter Anne under the tuition of the fcifihe pro- marechal de Rieux and the count de Cominge : daughter. '* but Philip de Montauban chancellor of the dutchy carried the young princefs to Guerands, where he made ufe of her name and authority to cloak his own defigns -, and his influence with her produced a quarrel between him and the marechal, which proved very detrimental to her own intereft, as well as to that of her fubjects. The king Of Eng-, land, being informed of the duke's death, declared openly that he would confider the intereft of the orphan HENRY VII. 269 Orphan d-Jtchefs as his own, and affected to make A-c- '4^. preparations for fuccouring her in the moft effectual manner. As the late treaty between France and Brittany was provifional, until the pretenfions of Charles to the fovereignty of that dutchy could be regulated, Henry's aim was to hinder the French king from taking the advantage of the duke's death, and the confternation of the Bretons. He thought this purpofe would be anfwered by his openly ef- poufing the caufe of the dutchefs ; that Charles, rather than come to an open rupture with England, would abate in his pretenfions -, that he himfelf would be chofen umpire of the difference, and con- fequently avoid a war which would oblige him to empty his coffers. In order to intimidate the French king, he fent ambafiadors to the king of the Romans and his fon Phiiip the archduke, and difpatched envoys to the kings of Spain and Portu- gal, as if he intended to form a league againft Charles, whom, by a third embaffy, he prefled to finifh all differences with Bretagne by a new treaty ; at the fame time, he fent Edgecomb and Henry Aynefworth with offers of affiltance to the young dutchefs, and powers to engage in his name for a certain number of troops, on fufficient fecurity for RJ'mer* a reimburfement of the expsnce. The affairs of Brittany engrofTed the attention of James nr. the king? of England and France to fuch a degree, knfj^^l, that they neglected fending fuccours to their ally own iub'-. ' James III. king of Scotland, whofe nobles, with ']e&*' his fon at their head, had rifen in rebellion. He had retired to the caftle of Edinburgh, and folli- cited the afliftance of Charles and Henry, who pro- mifed to fend forces to his aid: but his friends ad- vifed him to remove to the caftle of" Stirling which he would find more commodious for receiv- ing the fuccours he expected from abroad. In compliance with this advice, he quitted Edinburgh, 6 uad 270 . HIS TO RY ot ENG LAND. A c. 1433. an(j marched with a fmall body of troops to Stir- ling, where he was refufed admittance by the go- vernor. He then endeavoured to return to the place from which he had departed ; but was pre- vented by the rebellious noblemen who had en- gaged him at Bannockburn, where he was defeated and (lain. His fon James, at that time but fifteen years of age, was proclaimed king of Scotland on the field of battle by the victors ; and in the month Buchanan, of July fent ambafifadors to Henry, to notify his acceflion to the Scottifh throne. A. c. ,489. Qn t^e tent}1 ^y 0£ FeDru2ry ? the Englifh en- Henry fcnds VOyS concluded a treaty with the dutchefs of Bre- tagne, by which Henry engaged to afiift her with a reinforcement: °f ^lx thoufand men, on condition of being put into pofieffion of certain places, by Rymer' way of fecurity for the expence of this armament : fo that by this negotiation he provided for the fafety of Bretagne, without expending any part of the ' money he had received from parliament ; on the contrary, he contrived a method for laying it out to the beft advantage \ for by retaining the fecurities, he found means to be repayed with intereft. The dutchefs was glad to receive the afllftance of Eng- land upon any terms. She faw a French army in the heart of her dominions : me found herfelf with- out troops and money ; and her principal fubjects were divided among themfelves, by the mod ran- corous feuds and factions. The marechal de Rieux had been appointed her tutor •, but Philip de Mon- tauban her chancellor, who had gained an afcen - dency over her fpirit, reprefented the marechal to her in fuch a light, that fhe refufed to own him as her guardian. Philip infinuated that he was a creature of the king of France, by whofe direction he wanted to effect a marriage between her and the lord of Albret, a nobleman unfupported by any alli- ance, who would not be able to protect her do- minions,. HENRY VII. 271 minions. The marechal was fo incenfed againft A. 0.1485. this rival, that he had not only refufed to admit the dutchefs into Nantz, but even threatened to befiege her in Rennes the place of her ordinary refidence. No wonder then that Montaubari, who Argwtrc. was at the head of the adminiftration, concluded fuch a treaty with the king of England, the arri- val of svhofe fuccours would fo ftrongly fortify his intereft. The Englifh troops being landed in Brittany in Treaty be- the month of March, the French king began to U5k, of think that Henry intended to aft with vigour in France and defence of the dutchefs ; and from the embaffies to fo many different powers, he no longer doubted that his aim was to form a powerful confederacy againfl: France. By the mediation of the German princes, afiembled at FVanckfort, a treaty was brought upon the anvil, for a pacification between him and Maximilian, as well as between Maximi- lian and the Flemings. He had in his power Mar- garet daughter of the king of the Romans, whom by treaty he was obliged to marry, as foon as fhe fhould be of age; and he was intirely ignorant of the private contract between the late duke of Bretagne and Maximilian, touching the marriage of the duke's daughter. He therefore did not doubt, that his future father-in-law would be favourable to his intereft ; and in this opinion propofed to the dutchefs Anne, that their difference mould be left to the arbitration of Maximilian. Her miniftry joyfully embraced this propofal, in full confidence that (he would be favoured by a prince deflined to be her hufband •, and the king of the Romans was very well pleafed with this opportunity of acting as umpie, in an affair that fo nearly concerned his own intereft. The envoys of the two parties af- fembling at Franckforc, foon concluded, under Maximilian's arbitration, a provifional treaty, im- porting, 3 272 HISTORY OF EN GLAND. A. c. i489< porting, That Charles fhould reftore all the places he had conquered in Brittany, except Dinan, St. Aubin, Fougeres, and St. Malo, which fhould be depofited in the hands of Maximilian and the duke of Bourbon •, and that the French troops ftiould evacuate all the other parts of the dutchy : That Anns fhould fend back the Englifh troops : That in April of the fucceeding year, a congrefs Ihould be held at Tournay, where alt differences fhould be determined •, and, in the mean time the parties fhould fend their reafons to Avignon to be examined and difcuffed by civilians, that their opi- nions might ferve as inftruclions to their media- tors. Though the articles of this treaty were agreeable to both parties, it proved ineffectual. The places which Anne had delivered by way of fecurity to Henry, were garrifoned by five hundred Englifh troops ; and though the other auxiliaries of that nation returned to their own country after the treaty with France, thele five hundred would not quit Brittany until the king of England fhould be reimburfed ; a condition which the dutchefs could not fulfil. There the afTair reded ; and nei- ther party fent reafons to Avignon, o; ambafTadors Mezeni. to Tournay Maximilian Mean while the marriage between Maximilian marriesthe ancj ^ yOUn2; dutchefs was negotiated with all dutchels of J p .... Bretagne by poflible lecrecy j and at length loiemnized in the rroxy- month of November, the prince of NafTau acting as proxy for the king of the Romans, and putting his naked leg in bed with the dutchefs, as a proof of conlummation •, but this affair was tranfaded with fuch privacy, that neither Charles of France nor Henry of F,ngland had the leafl intimation of it for a whole year after the ceremony was perform- ed. Anne, forefeeing that the war would be re- newed as foon as her marriage fhould be divulged, fent the chancellor of Montauban and other envoys, to HENRY VII. to demand fuccours of Henry ; and engage in her At c- name, that fhe would never marry without his knowledge and confent. They vrere likewife in- Itrufted to inform him of her formal proteft againft the contnidt which had been made by her father, touching her marriage with die lord of Albret; and to insinuate that, as the marechal de Rieux ef- "poufed the intereft of that nobleman, her dutchy was in as great danger from her own fubjsdts as from the Frt-nch monarch. This remonstrance &?»« had no effecl: upon Henry, who* inftead of accom- modating the dutchefs with new fuccours, fent an- other embaffy into France, to treat with kingCharles about the termination of all the differences fub fitt- ing between him and Anne of Brittany. He was perfuaded that Charles dreaded his junftion with the dutchefs fo much, that he would not only be glad to embrace equitable propofals of peace, btic even to purchafe it at any price he (hould think proper to impofe : in this opinion he ordered his ambaflfadors to demand the arrears of the penfion which Lewis XI. had agreed to pay to Edward IV. by the treaty of Pequigny. In the mean time, he appointed commifTioners to treat with the envoys from Brittany ; and the whole refult of the nego- tiation was a further fecurity for the money he had already difburfed. With relpeft to the fuccours ihe demanded, there was no article in the treaty. Ke confined himfelf to verbal promifes, that he would never abandon the dutchefs. Imagining that Charles was fincerely d^fuous of peace, he^thought fuch fuccours were altogether unneceflary : but having ftill an eye to the reimburkment cf his money, he demanded that the town of N.\rv.z Ihould be put into his power, on pretence that it was in danger of falling into the hands of t'ie French; and he promifed faithfully to reftore it on the firft requifi- tion. Before he could gain tiais point, however, N°. 46, T the, 274 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A. c. 1490, the lord of Albret, having refigned all hope of ef- poufing the dutchefs, furprifed that rich city, and embraced the French party. Mean while Charles amufed the Englim ambafTadors with evafive pro- feffions, ii> order to gain time, that he might be able to terminate the war to his own advantage, without referring the difpute to Henry, whofe ar- bitration he had no mind to adopt. Henry affift* During thefe negotiations, the duke of Saxony, ^d'/mi-2111' wh° commanded in the Low Countries in the name of Maximilian, publifned an edict touching the r£S> coin, to which the inhabitants of Bruges refufed to fubmit •, and thofe of Ghent joined in their revolt. The king of France, whofe conftant aim was to foment domeltic troubles in the dominions of his ne:ghbours, fent fuccours to the rebels, under the command cf the marechal Defquerdes governor of Picardy ; and, on the other hand, Maximilian fent ambafladors to Henry to form a league againft jacon. Charles. The king of England, piqued at the in- difference with which his ambafladors were treated in France, and unwilling to fee the archduke op- preffed by his own fubjects, fent a reinforcement of* a thoufand men to Calais ; and ordered the lord Daubigney, governor of that fortrefs, to march to the relief of Dixmuyd, which the Flemings, with the afliftance of the French, had inverted, after having taken Ypres and Sluys. Daubigney no fooner received this order, than hs marched at the head of two thoufand men, and threw himfelf into Dixmuyd in the night, without oppofition. At day- break, he made a fally at the oppofite gate, and falling upon the camp of the confederates, routed them entirely. This affair produced great coldnefs between the kings of France and England ; but Charles durft not complain, becaufe Henry had as good a right to fupport the fovereign as he had to affift the rebellious fubjechj, The Ejiglilh mo- narch, II E N R Y VII. 275 harch, finding Charles ftill more and more averfeAiC- HJO* to an accommodation with the duichefs of Bre- tagne, thought proper to take fuch public mea- fures as would intimidate that prFnce into more pa- cific refolutions. In the beginning cf the year he had renewed the treaties of alliance with Portugal and Denmark. In September, he concluded with Maximilian and his fon Philip a league againft France, for their mutual defence and that cf th« dutchefs of Brittany. At the fame time he pub- lifhed a treaty concluded with Ferdinand and Ifa- bella fovereigns of. Spain -, by which the tv/o par- ties engaged to maintain a war againft France, until Charles mould have reftored RoufTillon to Ferdi- nand, and Guienne and Normandy to Henry. They likewife agreed that Arthur prince of Wales mould wed Catherine infanta of Spain, as foon as the par- ties ihould be marriageable. The league with the Ryn** king of the Romans referred to this treaty ; and thole three princes engaged to invade France atone time, each at the head of a feparate army, to a<5t for the intereil of the alliance, and the defence of the dutchefs of Bretagne. This league, however, was no more than a bugbear, railed to terrify Charles into pacific meafures. It was with tha fame view, that Henry concluded a treaty of alli- ance with John Galeazo duke of Milan. Nor was this artifice altogether unfuccefsful. The French king began to be afraid of a league, which would not only interrupt him in the conqueft of Bretagn?, but alfo baffle thofe defigns which he had for fome time meditated upon the kingdom of Naples. This apprehenfion hindered him from recommencing hoftilities in Bretagne, though he had a ftrong army in the heart of that province, and the dutchefs was in no condition to check his progrefs. Perplexed by thefe fuggedions he refolved to tend an embaffy into England, on pretence of en- T 2 deavouring 276 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A.C. M9°'deavouring to detach Henry from the intereft of Charles Anne, but in reality to learn what he had to hope emklffyto or to fear from the Englifh monarch. For this England to purpofe he chofe Francis de Luxembourg, vifcount pe%ce? de Martigues, Valeran de Sams, and Robert Ga- guin, miniver-general of the order of the Trinity. Thefe ambafTadors arriving in England, had an audience of the king at London, at which nothing material was tranfacted : but Richard Fox, bimop of Exeter, Thomas earl of Ormond, and fome others, being appointed commiflioners to treat with them, the general of the trinity, at their firft conference, in a very humble fpeech, obferved, that he 'and his collegues were fent to demand peace of the king of England, for whom Charles had the moft profound efteem -, that their matter propofed to make a conqueft of Naples, which was unjuftly detained from him by a baftard of the houfe of Arragon -, and that, after having finimed that enterprize, his intention was to carry his arms into the Eaft, and overthrow the Ottoman empire ; that in thefe fentiments he made no fcruple to de- mand peace of all the European princes, that he might not, by their means, be diverted from the execution of a project that would redound fo much to the glory and advantage of the chriftian reli- gion j and finally, that, as a mark of his eager defire to maintain a good correfpondence with the king of England, he, though undoubted lord pa- ramount of Bretagne, and confequently intitled to the wardfhip of the dutchefs, defired that king Henry would confent to his difpofing of her in marriage as he Ihould think proper. To this lowly remonftrafice, the chancellor, in the king's name, made a very lofty reply. He faid the good un- derftanding between his mafter and the French king was not to be reftored by words but by actions > that, with refpect to the marriage of Anne dutchefs HENRY VII. 277 dutchefs of Brittany, king Henry had no intention A. c, i49o. to intermeddle in the affair, provided Charles would act by the law and not by the fword ; and as for his defigns upon the kingdom of Naples, he Would only make one obfervation, which was, that if Charles thought his honour engaged to recover that realm, he could not be furprifed that the king of England would do his utmoft endeavour to retrieve the pofleffion of Guienne, Normandy, and the whole kingdom of France, which was his lawful inheritance. The French ambafiadors, furprifed at this declaration, anfwered with fome warmth, that the king their fovereign was not afraid of fuch me- naces, and knew how to defend his juft rights againft any prince or perfon who mould attempt to invade them. The chancellor replied without emo- tion, that the king expected no other anfwer from them, but that he would in a little time fend am- bafladors into France, in order to explain his in- tentions to their matter. Mean while he afked if Charles would be contented, mould the king of England confent to his difpofing of the dutchefs of Bretagne in marriage, with an exclufion of his own perfon. To this queftion the ambafiadors replied, that their king was fo far from entertaining any thought of efpouiing the dutchefs, that he had given them "no inftructions on the fubject. Henry, upon this occafion, fpun his thread of politics too fine. His intention was to intimidate Charles ; and for that purpofe, he -made ufe of a rhodomon- tade which produced a contrary effect. The French king knew he was too wife to embark in fuch an enterprize as the conqueft of France ; and there- fore interpreted his menaces into an artifice for deterring him from the conqueft of Brittany, which he refolved to profecute without further hefitation. In the month of February, the king, according .to his promife, fent ambaflfadors to France, with T 3 power 2?8 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A. c. 1491- power to treat of all the differences fubfifting bv tween him and Charles, as well as concerning the affairs of Brittany ; and immediately after he had .difmiffed thefe envoys, he received anembaffy from Anne. Thinking it unneceffiry to conceal her mar- riage with Maximilian any longer from the know- ledge of Henry, who affumed the name of her pro- tector, fhe fent a folemn deputation, compofed of the prince of Orange, the count de Dunois, and the chancellor, to notify it to him, and follicit his immediate fuccour. Charles was no fooner informed cf this match, than he befieged the dutchefs in her capital city of Rennes \ and during the liege, which Jafted feveral months, flie fent repeated envoys to Henry, demanding afliftance. He made ufe of thefe prefling follicitations, as a pretence for raifir.g loans of money through the whole kingdom. He renewed the league with Ferdinand and Maximi- lian, who fent two thoufand men to the affiftance of his wife, while his allies engaged to enter France at the head of two good armies, by the month of June in the following year. Not that either of thefe allies intended to fulfil this engagement. Ferdi- nand was otherwife employed in the war of Gre- nada-, the king of the Romans was deftirute of troops and money ; and Henry, perceiving at laft that Bretagne mult certainly be conquered, would by no mean.s engage alone in its defence. Their views therefore in this alliance had a very different termination. Ferdinand hoped his league with Henry would induce Charles to purchafe his for- bearance wkh the reftitution of Roufiillon. The king of the Romans wanted to involve Ferdinand and Henry in a war, of which he- would reap the whole fruit, without bearing any mare of the la- bour •, and the fole aim of Henry was, by the ter- ror of this triple alliance, to extort from Charles fecunsy HENRY VII. 279 fecurity for the payment of the demands which he A-c- '49«. had upon France and Brittany. The French king, without being much difturbed ™e^cnbt~ by thefe negotiations, continued [he fiege of Ren- 1'™™™* nes ; but, as he made little progrefs in his opera- charles- tions, and the IVafon was already far advanced, he took a more efficacious method to fecure the pol- fefTion of Bretagne. He bribed all the counft-llors of the young dutchefs, to perfuade her to renounce her marriage with Maximilian, and receive himfelf as her hufband. The princefs, who was then about fifteen years of age, at firft refilled all their folli- citations, obferving that fhe could not 'in honour abandon a prince whom fhe had voluntarily mar- ried. But they alledged that Maximilan had aban- doned her, in relinquishing her intereft and living quietly in Germany, without offering to come in perfon and undertake her defence, or fending fuc- cours proportioned to her occafions. They repre- fented that, confidering the prefent fituation of affairs, Brittany would certainly become a pro- vince of France, and Maximilian would mani- feft ftill lefs regard for her, when he fhould fee her ftripped of her dominions -, fo that fhe would have the completed mortification to lofe her huf- band and her dutchy, and fee her fubjecls reduced to flavery : that in marrying the king of Franca fhe might fecure to herfelf the fovereignty of Bre- tagne, and preferve the liberty of her people : and that the age of Charles was more fuitable to her own than that of Maximilian, who was already advanced in years. The king of France, finding her deaf to all thefe remonftrances, devifed another expe- dient to overcome her obftinacy. Knowing whan an afcendency the duke of Orleans had gaintd over the mind of this young princefs, he releafed him from the tower of Bourges, in which he had been confined fmce the battle of St. Aubin, on condition T that iSo HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A>c- 1&1- that he fhould employ all his infiuence with the dutchefs, in obtr.inir:^ her content to the marriage. The duke, tired oi nis imprifonment, readily un- dertook the office, and repairing to Rennes, actually reconciled the dutchefs to the propcfal ; fo that the Argentre. j^^h was concluded on the fixteentli day of De- Alezerai. J cember. Henry con- \yhile this affair was in agitation, Charles con- r°am!ndt,Fa" tinned to amufe the Engliih ambafiadors, who and declares were no fooner informed of the purpcfed marriage «" TO invade than they retired without taking leave, and report- 'i ranee. ed their difcovcry to Henry, who was not a little confounded at finding himfelf fo egregioufiy duped, and in fuch danger of lofmg the money which he had expended in the defence of Breragne. Never- thelefs, he had (till another advantage over Charles, of which he did not fair to avail himfeJf. That prince had projected the conqueft .of Naples •, and as a rupture in England would have greatly inter- fered with the execution of his dcfign, he fought to avoid it with the utrnoit care and circumfpection. Henry, being well acquainted with his views, af- fected the v/armeft- refentment of the affront he had received, and threatened vengeance againfc the author. As foon as his ambafTadors had made their report, he ifilied orders for levying troops and preparing tranfports, and declared he would forthwith carry the war into the bowels of France. Maximilian breathed nothing but revenge, when he underftood that he was deprived of his wife in . fuch an outrageous manner : he, like Henry, threatened to lay walle the kingdom of France with fire aad fvvord ; and the archduke Philip de- manded that his fifter Margaret, who had been betrothed to Charles, might be fent back from Paris, where (he refided for her education. The court of France however would not as yet comply with this demand, and feemed to disregard the threats HENRY VII. zffi threats of father and fon by the moft fupercilious A-c- '49'* neglect, All the attention of Charles was employ- ed in averting the ftorm with which he was threat, ened from Spain and England \ for, by this time, Ferdinand and Ifabella had finifhed the war againft the Moors with the redu&ion of Grenada, and loudly menaced France with an invafion. Henry Rymer- feemed actually in earned in his preparations for war. That his dominions might be fecure on the fide of Scotland, he concluded a truce at Coldftream with the ambafiadors of James IV. fovereign of that kingdom. In the beginning of the year he Al c' l49** aflembled a parliament, to which he declared in perfon his refolution to recover the kingdom of France, as the inheritance of his anceftors. He reminded the members of the victories gained at Crecy, PoicYiers, and Agincourt, byafmall number of Englim over the moft powerful armies of France ; mentioned the different powers that were ready to co-operate with his meafures in attacking that kingdom ; demanded a fupply fuitable to the greatnefs of the occafion, exhorting the commons to fpare the purfe of the poor, and let the burden of the tax fall upon the wealthy. Though the commons had very little reafon to grant a fubfidy, confidering how the laft was embezzled, the con- cueft of France was fuch a temptation as they could not refift. They not only advifed him to engage in this enterprize, which in reality he had no mind to undertake, but they fupplied him with uncom- mon alacrity, and, according to his defire, im- powered him to raife a benevolence from the wealthy part of hisiqbjeds. Rot' ParJ- After the feflion broke up, the king received an Henry em- embalTy from Charles of France, with certain pro- b?rks with pofals, the nature of which never tranfpired •, tho* a" dTanJs at in all probability, thofe envoys laid the foundation Calaifi- .of that peace which was concluded before the end of 28z HISTORYoF ENGLAND. A.C. 1492. of the year. In the month of June, the queen was delivered of a fecond fon called Henry, who fucceeded his father on the throne of England. Im- mediately after that event, the king fent a rein- forcement of two and twenty (hips, and two thou- fand five hundred men, to the archduke Philip, who had marched againft Philip de Cleves the leader of the revolted Flemings. That chief retiring to Sluys, was there befieged, and fo hard preffed by the Englilh auxiliaries, that he was obliged to fue for peace, and furrender the town to the arch- duke. Henry, who had no intention to profecute the war with vigour, foon began to flag in his pre- parations ; and fent ambaiTadors to France on pre- tence of manifesting his defire to terminate the dif- pute by fair means, before he would unfheath the fword of vengeance : at the fame time, he difpatched envoys to fummon Maximilian and Ferdinand, to invade France according to their engagements. Bur, he knew very well they had neither the incli- nation nor the power to comply with the arti- cles of the treaty. Maximilian was deflitute of troops, and Ferdinand had actually begun a nego- tiation with Charles, for the reftitution of Rouf- fillon. In the beginning of Auguft, Henry iflued new orders for frelh levies -, and, in the courie of the fame month, he appointed commimoners to treat with the Scottifh deputies at Coldftream, con- cerning a folid peace between the two nations. At length, he conftituted his fon Arthur prince of Wales guardian of the kingdom ; and in the be- ginning of Odtober repaired to Sandwich, where he embarked his army. Before he went on board, he received a letter from the marechal Defquerdes, propofing that a negotiation for peace might be carried on in England : but, the king refolded to negotiate in France, in order to fave appearances. He HENRY VII. 283 He had fcarce arrived at Calais, when his am- A.C.I^*- baffadors returned from the king of the Romans, "^^ with an account of that prince's being altogether logne... unable to fulfil his engagements ; and in a few days after their arrival, he received letters from his en- voys in Spain, giving him to underftand, that Fer- dinand had made peace with Charles, on condition of being re-eftablilhed in pofTefiion of Roufiillpn. Henry afFeded great furprize and confufion when Bacon. he learned thefe tidings, which were carefully pro- mulgated, as preliminaries of the peace which he meant to conclude. He now permitted, though with teeming reluctance, the bifhop of Bath and Wells, and the lord Daubigney, governor of Ca- lais, to open a congrefs with the marechal Defquer- des at Eftaples •, and he himfelf began his march for Boulogne, which he inverted on the nineteenth day of October. King Charles was then at Tours ; and though he could not be ignorant of Henry's preparations, he had not even afiembled an army to oppofe the invader : a circumftance which plainly proves, that the whole tranfa&ion was concerted between the two kings ; and that the fiege of Bou- logne was no other than an artifice to difcourage the Englifh army with a winter campaign, that they might be the leis difpleafed with a pacifica- tion. In eight days after Henry undertook this fiege, P«»ce co»- he received the articles of peace concluded between Eftapi«T the commiffioners of both kingdoms, to this effect : That the king of France Ihould difcharge the debt contracted by his queen for the defence of Brittany : That he Ihould moreover pay to Henry the arrears of the penfion which his father granted to Edward . IV. That, as there was no fum fpecified in the obli- gation of the dutchefs of Brittany to the king of England, this la.t mould produce vouchers of his accounts to French commiflioners, who fhould be fent 25-4 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A, c. M9£. fent to England for that purpofe : That the two kings fhould name thofe of their allies whom they defired to comprehend in the treaty ; and that they fhould declare in four months whether they would Rymer. or WOuld not Jee comprehended : That, fhould the king of the Romans and his fon Philip defire to be included, and afterwards the king of France prefume to invade their country on any pretext whatsoever, the king of England fhould be at li- berty to affitt them •, but fliould they, on the con- trary, attack the dominions of France, he mould yield them no affiftance : That, mould the two kings approve thefe articles, they mould mutually give hoftages until the treaty could be figned and ratified. Though thefe articles were extremely agreeable to Henry, he affected to hefitate and ftart objections -, and at length referred them to the confederation of a general council, compofed of all the noblemen and principal officers in the army. Thefe were influenced and directed by ibme of his own crea- tures, and unanimoufly gave it as their opinion, that the conditions ought to be accepted. The king, pretending- to be determined by the advice of the council, confirmed the treaty, which was ratified in like manner by Charles ; and both Sovereigns undertook for its receiving the fanction of the eftates of their refpective realms. The nature of this peace plainly proves that the war was undertaken folely with a view to the payment of the money expended in defence of Bretagne, and the revival of the pen- lion •, for there is not one word in the articles re- iating to Henry's title to Guienne, Normandy, and the crown of France, which was his pretence for beginning the war. It was ftipulated that the treaty fhould remain in force till the death of both kings ; and that the fuccefibr of him who mould die nrft fhould ratify the peace within a year after his ac- cefiioa to the throne. On the fame day that the peace HENRY VII. 285 peace was figned at Eftaples, the ambaffadors of A. c. ^92. England and Scotland concluded a truce for two years at Coldftream. This treaty between France and England gave great umbrage to Henry's fub- jec~b, who not only repined at Brittany's being annexed to the French crown, but alfo complained that he had fleeced his people for the maintenance of a war which he undertook merely with a view to fill his own coffers. The nobility and officers who had fold or mortgaged their eftates, in hope of preferment in the fervice, fcrupled not to exclaim that the king had plucked his people to feather himfelf. Henry was not at all difturbed by thefe murmurs, which he was enabled to di (regard by the payment of feven hundred and forty-five thoi> fand ducats for the expence of his armament, and the promife of five and twenty thoufand crowns yearly, which were 'punctually remitted in the fe- quel. He forth with raifed the fiege of Boulogne, and retreated to Calais, from whence he took mip- ping for England, and arrived in London on the Seventeenth day of December. He was by this time become extremely odious to the Englilh, who imputed the lofs of Brittany to his avarice and neg- lect. They accufed him of trepanning the com A. 0.1493. mons into a grant of exorbitant taxes, on falfe pre- tences •, of having extorted immenfe fums ^ille- gally, under the term of a Benevolence ; of having concluded an inglorious peace with the king of France ; of 'treating the queen harfhly ; and of de- prefiing all thole who had been well-wifhers to the houfe of York. He was not ignorant of his people's difcontent, Account of and forefaw the ftorm to which he was afterwards Perkintk > expofed. A new pretender to his crown, more dangerous than Lambert Simnel, had ftarted up on the continent, and arTumed the name of Richard Plantagenet duke of York, fecond fon of the fourth Edward, 4S6 H IS T O R Y OF E N G L A N D. A. c, 1493. Edward, fuppofed to have efcaped from the Tower,* after the death of his elder brother. This preten- der was a youth of very engaging appearance and infmuating addrefs, who is faid to have been the fon of one Ofbeck, a converted Jew of Tournay, from whence he returned to London, where the impoftor was born and chriftened by the name of Peter : king Edward being acquainted with Ofbeck and his wife, flood godfather to the child i who, from the delicacy of his perfon, acquired the di- minutive appellation of Peterkin or Perkin. Ed- ward himfelf is fuppofed to have had an amour with his mother; and from his refemblance to that prince, he was thought a proper agent to perlbnate the duke of York. After having redded fome years in England, he was by his parents conveyed to Flanders, where he conformed chiefly with Englifh company, fo as to preferve his original language ; and as he grew up, he exhibited fuch accomplifh- ments both of body and underftanding as recom- mended him to the notice of Margaret dutchefs of Burgundy, who refolved to play him off as a pre- tender to the crown of England. For this pur- pofe (he tutored him in private, until he was per- fectly inftrucled with regard to the deportment he ihould affume. He was made acquainted with all the particulars relating to Richard duke of York, whom he was defigned to perfonate, as well as with the ftature and lineaments of his pretended father, mother, brother, fitters, and relations ; together with all the tranfactions of Edward's court which a child of eleven years of age might be fuppofed to obferve and remember. He likewife received a minute detail of what paiTed while he was in the fanctuary and in the Tower-, the manner of his brother's death, and his own efcape. When he was fully inftruded, the dutchefs refolved that he fliouid openly claim the Englifh crown; but, in the mean HENRY VII. time, that her fecret intention might not be pre- A> e* maturely divulged, ihe fent him to Portugal with the lady Brampton : there he continued a whole year, until Henry declared war againft France : then fhe defired him by letter to take fhipping for Ireland, and produce himfelf in that country, which was devoted to the hciufe of York. He followed her directions without hefitation -, and, landing in Cork, perfonated Richard Plantagenet, fecond fon of Ed- ward IV. He was immediately joined by a great number of partifans, and wrote to the earls of Defmond and Kildare, exhorting them to acknow- ledge his title, and join him with their vafTals and dependants. Charles VIII. was no fooner informed of his appearance in Ireland, than he fent Stephen Tryon, who had been formerly in Henry's fcrvice, and one Lucas, as ambafladors to Perkin, to af- fure him of his protection, and invite him to his court. On his arrival at Paris he was honourably received, acknowledged as duke of York, and ac- commodated in a princely manner, till the peace of Eftaples, when Henry endeavoured, without fuc- cefs, to perfuade Charles to deliver up this preten- der. The French king would not violate the laws of hofpitality, though he promifed that he ihould have no afliftance from France in his defigns upon the Englifli throne. Perkin, being thus cut off from all hope of fuccour at the court of France, retired to Flanders, and addreffed himfelf as a ftranger to the dutchefs dowager. Margaret af- fected to doubt his veracity, and examined him in public touching the reality of his pretenfions ; when he made fuch pertinent anfwers, and demeaned himfelf with fuch dignity of deportment, that Ihe and all the fpectators feemed fully convinced of his being the real duke of York. She forthwith ac- knowledged him as her nephew, diftinguifhed him by the title of the White Rofe of England, ap- pointed 288 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A. c. 1493. pointed a guard for his perfon, and treated him in all refpefts as the true heir of the Englifii throne. When thefe circumftances were known in England, the people were extremely well inclined to adopt the impofture, partly through hatred to the king, but chiefly from a perfuafion that Perkin was the real Richard Plantagenet. Sir William Stanley, lord chamberlain of the houfehold, the lord Fitzwalter, Sir Simon Mountford, Sir Thomas Thwates, and others, engaged in a fecret confpiracy to favour this youth's title, and fent over Sir Robert Clif* ford and W. Baily of Aldeburgh in Hertfordfhire, to learn the truth of what was tranfacted at the court of Margaret dutchefs of Burgundy. Sir Ro- bert had feveral conferences with this princefs on the fubjecl:. After having converfed frequently with Perkin, he wrote a letter to his confederates, in which he declared that he knew the perfon of the duke of York as well as he knew his own ; and that this youth was undoubtedly the true Richard Henry en deavJuBto Henry was not idle at this juncture ; he had re- impffiuS ceived a confufed intimation of the confpiracy, and employed emiiTaries abroad to infmuate themfelves into the confidence of Perkin and his proteftrefs, that they might learn the particulars of the pre- tender's birth and education, as well as the names of thofe who favoured him in England. That thofe fpies might be fcreened from all fufpicion among the pardfans of Perkin, he caufed them to be excommunicated at St. Paul's, by name, in the bead-roll of the king's enemies, according to the cuflom of the times ; and he tampered with the chaplains and confefibrs of his nobility, in order to difcover their fecret inclinations. While he took thefe meafures for difcovering and defeating the confpiracy, he was equally induftrious in finding cue and promulgating proofs of the real duke of York's HENRY VII. York's having been murdered in the Tower. Sir A. 0.1493' James Tyrrel, who had been one of Henry's ple- nipotentiaries in France , and his fervant Dighton, faid to have been concerned in that tragedy, were examined, and confefTed the fact, as it hath been related in the hiftory of the preceding reign : but, however, their account left the affair in iome per- plexity, and the king made no ufe of it in any of his declarations. Dighton however was fet at li- berty, and earned his pardon by divulging this tra- dition ; which, in all probability, was invented for the purpofe. All the intelligence that Henry ob- tained abroad amounted to no more than the fame detail which we have repeated ; and therefore it did not fully anfwer his end, which was to convince the world of the impofture : on the contrary, it ferved to confirm the opinion of many people in favour of Perkin, becaufe it was fo defective and ill attefted. They concluded, from Henry's know*n fagacity, that if the youth had really been an im- poftor, he would have traced him from his cradle to his appearance in the character of Richard Plan- tagenet, in fuch a manner as would have left no doubt of his identity. They could hardly believe Bacon, that Charles king of France, and the dutchefs of Burgundy, would have proftituted the dignity of princes fo far, as to beftow it upon a common ad- venturer -, and they took it for granted, that if the duke of Y'ork had been actually murdered in the Tower, king Henry would have been able to prove the fact fo clearly as to confute the pretenfions of any counterfeit. There was fomething very myfte- rious in the king's conduct upon this occafion j ibr the intelligence he pretended to have received from, his fpies abroad, touching the life and adventures of Perkin Warbeck, was not publifhed by pro- clamation, or in any other authentic manner ; buc circulated in vague and contradictory reports by NUMB. XLVII. U the 290 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A. 0.1493. tne courtiers and their adherents. With refpefb to the death of the real duke of York, Henry's ambaf- fador at the court of the archduke, when defired to produce the evidence, faid his matter declined that fort of proof, becaufe it might be faid he had tutored the witneffes. Thefe circumftances, added to the uncommon jealoufy he manifefted towards the pre- tender, the great pains he took, and the fums which, contrary to his nature, he expended in countermining Rymer. tne efforts of Perkin, perfuaded many people that the youth was not an impoftor. embtfl^to ^e t^iat as *c may.' Henry found means to win ti" arcyh-° over Sir Robert Clifford to his intereft. He fent tokfurrPCnS Sir Edward Poynings and Sir William Warham him""™ as ambatTadors to the archduke, to complain of the dutchefs Margaret as the author of this impofture ; and demanded that Perkin might be delivered into his hands, as a pyrate or common enemy of man- kind, who ought not to be protected by the law of nations. The council of the archduke, having deliberated on this demand, replied to the Engliih ambafiadors, that, in confideranon of the archduke's friendfhip for Henry, no aid mould be granted to the pretender ; but that the dutchefs dowager being ab- folutein the lands affigned as her dowry, he had no authority over her conduct. Philip was the more indifferent towards Henry on this occafion, as he had juft concluded a treaty with Charles of France, who had delivered up his iifter Margaret, with the counties of Artois and Burgundy •> though he ftill retained ibme places, which he promiied to reilore when Philip mould be of age. The ambafladors, in reporting the archduke's anfwer, gave the king to understand, that there was a collufion between that prince and the dutchefs dowager, in the affair of Perkin; and Henry was fo incenfed at Philip's conduit, that he not* only broke off all correfpon- dence HENRY VII. 291 dence with him, but alfo expelled his fubjecls from *-c* '49}« the dominions of England. The archduke re- torted this animofity upon all the Ernglifh who re- fided in Flanders ; but their refentment proceed- ed no farther* becaufe they wer£ afraid of each other. Mean while the king of England was exactly DIv«s Pe?j informed by Sir Robert Clifford of the correfpen- HwJ. dence which the dutchefs and Perkin maintained with England. In order to crufh the confpiracy S.t "* before it mould become too dangerous, he ifTued orders privately for arrefting John RatclifF, lord Fitzwalter, Sir Simon Mountford* Sir Thomas Thwaites, William Daubigney, Robert RatclifF, Thomas Chreflenor, and Thomas Afhwood, who were apprehended at the fame time, tried, convicted of holding treafonable correfpondence with Per- kin, and condemned to die the death of traitors. The lord Fitzwalter was conveyed to Calais ; where, in time, he might have obtained his par- don, had not his impatience of confinement prompt- ed him to attempt his efcape ; in which attempt being difcovered, he loll his head. Mountford, RatclifF, and Daubigney, fufFered the rigour of the law, but the red were pardoned j and many others of the clergy, as well as of the laity, arrefted on the fame fufpicion, were difcharged without trial. The lord chamberlain Stanley was not yet appre- hended, either becaufe Sir Robert Clifford had not informed againft him, or the king wanted further proof, before he mould be brought to his trial. The confpiracy being thus quelled in England, At c ,49 - Henry refolved to convert his attention to the af- fairs of Ireland, where he underftood Perkin had ftill fome powerful friends and abettors. He ap- pointed his fecond fon Henry, an infant of two years vemor of of age, viceroy of that kingdom ; and Sir Edward Jrelandt Poynings, his deputy, with a very, extenfive power U 2 over 292 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A. c. 1494. over the civi] as weii as tne rnilitary adminiftration. At his arrival in Ireland he fet on foot a fevere in- quiry about thofe who were fufpe6ted of difaffec- tion j and in a particular manner attacked the earls of Defmond and Kildare, to whom Perkin had written, when he firft landed at Cork. The firft Hood upon the defenftve, and eluded the power of the deputy •, but the earl of Kildare was fent pri- foner to England, from whence he was foon dif- rniffed to his own country, with marks of the king's efteem and favour-, Henry judging that, at fuch a juncture, he fliould gain more by acts of clemency and indulgence, than by the exercife of rigour and feverity. In this opinion, he fent a commifiioner to Ireland, with a formal amnefty in favour of the fcarl of Defmond and all the rebels of that country, refolving, if pofiible, by fair means, to ftifle the very feeds of rebellion in an ifland where the houfe of York had fuch a number of partifans. While Poynings refided in Ireland he convened a parlia- ment, which is famous on record for the acts it paffed to the advantage of England, and the Eng- lifh fettled among the Irifh. One of thefe, ftill known by the name of Poynings's Act, decreed, That the parliament of Ireland could not be afTem- bled until the governor and council fhould have made the king acquainted with the caufes of its meeting, and received his majefty's permifiion, un- der the great feal. Another law imported, Thac all the ftatutes of England fhould be obferved , rT in Ireland; and thefe two acts are in force at this .riiir* 01 irc« _ land. day. Henry's a- Henry*s avarice increafed to fuch a degree of nce and rapacity, that he employed all his invention to find out pretences for amaffing fums of money ; and trumped ap the moft frivolous accufations againft wealthy individuals, that he might fill his coffers at their expence. Thefe were the genuine effects of extortion. HENRY VII. 293 of a covetous difpofition, which was altogether in- A- c x*94. fatiable ; for he had no real ufe for the money he thus extorted. He was at peace with all the world, He had obtained from parliament two very con- liderable fubfidies, of which he had expended no part but what was repayed with ufury. He had enriched himfelf with divers confifcations, and re- ceived annually fifty thoufand liv res from the king of France. Thefe refources, added to his ordinary revenues, rendered him the richeft king in Europe : yet, not fatisfied, he could not refrain from fqueez- ing money out of his people by forfeitures on pe- nal laws. The firft perfon of note who fuffered in this manner was Sir William Capel, alderman of London, condemned in the fum of feven and twenty hundred pounds, fixteen hundred of which he payed to the king by way of compofition j but no part of Henry's conduct redounded more to his dimon- our, than his profecution of the lord chamberlain Stanley, to whom he, m a great meafure, owed his elevation to the throne. We have already obferved that this nobleman Lord cham. favoured the caufe of Perkin War beck, on the berlain fuppofuion that he was the real fon of Edward IV. viaauf"1* and perhaps he was influenced on this occafion by J^/™^ refentment againft Henry, from whom he is faid headed. to have fuffered a repulfe, when he allied the earl- dom of Chefter. The king certainly had reafon to dread the ill offices of fuch a powerful nobleman ; but in all probability, his greateft crime was his great wealth, which exceeded that of any other Englim fubjec~fc, and captivated the heart of Henry ; for the charge againft him was conftrued into trea- fon, by a very high-ftrained interpretation. In order toaccomplifh his aim, he directed his informer, Clif- ford, to come over from Flanders ; and no fooner underftood he was arrived in England, than he took up his refidence in the Tower, that he might U 3 the 94 H I S T O R Y o F E N G L A N D. ? c* '494 the more conveniently apprehend the delinquent. Clifford, according to his inftru6lions, appeared before the council ; and throwing himfelf at the king's feet, implored his clemency, which he faid he would deferve by declaring all he knew of the confpiracy. Henry promifed to pardon him, on that condition : then he proceeded to impeach fundry perfons, and among the reft the lord chamberlain. The king affeded great furprize at this declaration, bidding him take heed •, and threatening him with cleath, mould his accufation be found falie and ma- licious. Clifford perfifted in the charge ; and the chamberlain was immediately put under arreft. Next day, being examined before the council, he owned what was laid to his charge, and was con- demned on his own confefiion •, though his whole crime amounted to no more than that he had faid, he would never bear arms againft Perkin Warbeck, was he certain that the youth was really the fon of pclward IV. Perhaps he thought himfelf fecure in the fervjce he had done the king, and the great credit of his brother, the earl of Derby, who had married Henry's mother. But he fell a facrifice to his great wealth ; and all the favour he could obtain was the refpiteof a few weeks, that he might prepare himfelf for death, which he did not fuffer till the beginning of the following year ; when his poft of chamberlain was filled with Giles lord Dawbeny, a nobleman of approved valour and fufficiency. The king found in Stanley's caftje of Holt forty thoufand marks of money, and plate, befides jewels, furniture, cattle, and effects to an immenfe value ; and an eflate of three thoufand pounds a year. With this booty he confoled himfelf for the fecret curfes of his people, who not only detefted his avarice and ingratitude, but were overwhelmed \vith confternation at the fate of the chamberlain^ y/hq hid been condemned for that of which very few HENRY VII. 295 few Englifh fubjects were innocent ; namely, for A* £• MH- preferring the right of the houfe of York to that of the reigning king. What augmented their fear was their perceiving that Henry maintained fpies to watch the conduct of the chamberlain ; and, in all probability, followed the fame practice with other noblemen, who durft no longer communi- cate their fentiments, left thofe whom they trufted as friends, mould turn out informers, and betray their confidence : but, what they durft not impart to their intimates, they vented in fevere libels and fatires againfr the judges, the councij, and the king himfelf ; who was fo provoked by thofe far- cafms, that he ordered five mean perfons detected in difperfmg the papers, to be executed as traitors, ibid. In the courfe of this year, his favourite Richard Fox bifhop of Bath and Wells was tranflated to the fee of Durham ; and the king's fon Henry was created duke of York : he was at the fame time made knight of the Bath, and feveral noblemen and perfons of rank v/ere like wife admitted into that order. Young Henry was afterwards ap- pointed warden of the northern Marches, for de- fence of which the earl of Surrey began to levy forces, as the king had fome reafon to doubt the , friendfhip of Jamts IV. king of Scotland. In the A- c- '495* fummer, king Henry, in order to convince the world, that the proceedings againft Sir William Stanley had not at all diminimed his regard for his brother the earl of Derby, or his affection for his own mother the wife of that nobleman, made an excurfion to the earl's houfe at Latham, where he ftayed three days, and feemed very well pleafed with his entertainment. From thence he made a progrefs through Yorkshire ; and while he was ab- fent from the fouchern parts of this kingdom, Per- kin Warbeck refolved to try his fortune in Eng- land. Being fupplied with fome troops and veflels . U 4 by 196 HISTORY OF. ENGLAND. A. c. 1495- by the dutchefs of Burgundy, he fet fail in July, and arriving on the coait of Kent near Sandwich, landed fome of his people, to found the inclinations of the natives. Thefe endeavoured to cajole the Kentifhmen, by arTuring them that there v/as a ftrong armament fitted out in Flanders for fup- porting the title of the duke of York •, but the fenglifh perceiving they were all foreigners and freebooters, inftead of joining them, confulted the gentlemen of the county, who advifed them to allure Perkin afliore with fair promifes, and then make fure of his perfon. They accordingly took to their arms, and marching down to the lea- fide, invited the pretender to land, with aflurances of rifking their lives in his fervice. But, he was ciilfuaded from trufting himfelf in their hands, by his fecre- tary Frion, who from their delaying this declara- tion fo long, and then appearing in regular bands, concluded they were part of Henry's forces. On this fuppofition he hindered Perkin from landing in perfon. The Englifh finding he fufpeded their defign, fell upon thofe whom he had fent on fhore, and put then) all to the fword, except about one hundred and fifty, who were brought prifoners to London, and h-anged in different parts of the coaft by the king's order : mean while Perkin, feeing the difafter of his people, hoifted fail and returned to Flanders. The king returning from his progrefs in the north, aflembled a parliament on the thirteenth day of October •, and divers laws were made for the eafe and convenience of the fubjecl:. Among thefe the moft remarkable was a fratute, ordaining, That no perfon afiifting, in arms or otherwife, the king for the time being, ihould be afterwards called to account, or attainted on that accufation. This fta- tute appears at firft fight to have been enacted in iivour of the people ; bufj in reality it was calcu- lated HENRY VII. 297 lated to hinder individuals from prying too nar- A. 0.1495. rowly into the king's title, which they would have no longer occafion to inveftigate, as this provifion was made for their fafety. There was another law Rot. Pad. pa{Ted for obliging thofe who had complied with the tax called Benevolence, to pay their arrears within a certain time ; an act which brought large fums into the king's coffers, as great part of the tax remained unpayed on account of the fhort du- ration of the French war, for the maintainance of which it was granted : the archbilhop of Can- terbury owed fifteen hundred pounds of his pro- portion. During the fefiion of this parliament, Henry ^JV received intelligence that Perkin Warbeck had lands in landed in Ireland, where he expected to find ef- Irelaad< fectual fupport from the friends of the houfe of York, from whom he had formerly met with a favourable reception. But, by this time, the king and his deputy Poynings, had taken fuch prudent meafures to prevent any difturbance in that king- dom, that no perfon of any confeqnence declared in his behalf; fo that his friends advifed him to follicit fuccour of James king of Scotland, who was upon very indifferent terms with Henry. The dutchefs of Burgundy had entered into a fecret ne- gotiation with that prince, who, in all probability, had engaged to affift him before he failed from Flanders -, and the youth is faid to have been re- commended to his protection by Maximilian, who had fucceeded his father Frederick as emperor of Germany, the archduke Philip, and Charles king of France. Perkin, feeing no hopes of being fup- Fro-n ported in Ireland, and Henry having put the whole ^3^0* coaft of England in a pofture of defence, failed to Scotland, Scotland, and repairing to Edinburgh, demanded an audience of James, in quality of duke of York. Jking accordingly admitted to that king's pretence, 293 HISTORYo? ENGLAND. A.C. 1495. he jn a public fpsech recapitulated the viciflltudes of fortune he had undergone, and implored his and h hofpi- fnendfliip and afiiftance. James received him with SedCb great hofpitality, acknowledged him as the fon of the king of Edward IV. beftowed upon him in marriage his thatcoun- own kinfwoman Catherine Gordon, daughter to the earl of Huntley, one of the moft beautiful and ac- complilhed young ladies of the age •, and prom i fed to fupport his pretenfions with the whole power of his kingdom. James was knight -errant enough to eipoufe the caufe of a prince in diftrefs, without any other motive than that of glory : this however, was reinforced by the recommendation of Charles the French king, whofe intereft it was, in a particular rnanner, to embroil Henry at home, that he might not be at leiiure to join a league of the Italian princes and ftates, which was formed to oppofe his defigns upon the kingdom of Naples. Preach Charles had paflfed the Alps at the invitation of k:ng'»«xPe- Ludovico Sforza, nephew to John Galeazo duke Spies!0 of Milan, He entered Italy without oppofition, obliged Peter de Medicis, who governed the re- public of Florence, to furrender four of his ftrongeft places into his hands, and accommodate him with a- fum of money. He made a triumphal entry into that capital, where he publifhed a manifefto, ex- plaining his pretenfions to the kingdom of Naples : then he repaired to Rome, of which he took pof- feffion, while pope Alexander VI. mut himfelf up in the caftle of St. Angelo, for the fecurity of his perfon. After having garrifoned the bed places in the ecelefiaftical (late, and received cardinal Casfar Borgia the pope's baftard as an hoftage, he began his march from Rome to Naples. Alphonfo king of that realm, was fo terrified at his approach, that he refigned the crown to his Ton Ferdinand, and retired to a monaftery, in which he died before the end of the year. His fon advanced towards the frontiers, HENRY VII. 299 frontiers, in order to flop the progreis of Charles ; * c.,495. out was abandoned by his forces, and returning to Naples, was refufed admittance, In this extre- mity he retired to the little ifland of Ifchia, afrer having left garrifcns in the caftles that commanded his capital. Mean while the French king continued his march ; was received into, Capua ; all the other towns of the kingdom fubmitted to his power : the city of Naples opened its gates at his approach : and, in a few days, he made himfelf matter of the caftles. He was ib intoxicated by fuch a torrent of fuccefs, that he neglected to take proper mea- fures for the prefervation of his conquefts. His foldiers became extremely odious to the inhabitants of Naples. As he had not troops fufficient to gar- rifon all the towns that had fubmitted, they gra- dually fell off, and declared for their own fove- reign •, and a powerful league was formed againft him by the pope, the emperor, the king of Spain, the archduke, the king of Naples, the republic of Venice, and his old friend Ludovico Sforfa, who had by this time poifoned his uncle, and fucceeded to the dutchy of Milan ; fo that he had no farther occafion for the friendmip of Charles. Thus cir- Mezerai. cumftanced, he thought it high time to retreat to his own dominions ; but, the allies had already aflembled an army of forty thoufand men, and pofted themfelves at Fornova, in order to difpute his pafTage. Though inferior in number he gave them battle without hefitation, and obtained a vic- tory, by which he made his retreat good. In the mean time, Naples fubmitted to its own king Fer- dinand, and almoft all the other towns of that kingdom followed the example of the capital. The Bern. Cor?«, duke de Montpenfier, whom Charles had left with «>£• fcMi- a fmall body of forces in the place, retired inta one an°* of the caftles, where, after fuftaining a fiege of three months, he was obliged to capitulate. Thus Charles 300 H I S TO R Y OF ENGLAND. A. c. 1495. Charles loft the kingdom of Naples in as (hort a time as he had expended in the conqueft of it. He formed feveral projects in the iequel for retrieving his acquifition ; but fuch difficulties occurred, that they were never put in execution. Treaty he- About this period the emperor Maximilian vifited TndX ^e Low Countries, the government of which he chduke refigned to his fon Philip, though he was not yet o£ age . ancj tkjs y0ung prince, about the latter end of the year, fent an embaffy to Henry, defiring that the treaty of commerce between his domi- nions and England might be renewed. As this propofal was no lefs advantageous to the Englifh than to the Flemings, they fucceeded without dif- ficulty in their negotiation. In the month of Fe- A.C. i496. bruary, a treaty of peace and perpetual fiiendmip was concluded between the two fovereigns ; and the commerce was regulated to the fatisfaction of Rymw. both nations. By one of the articles of this treaty, Philip engaged to hinder the dutchefs dowager of Burgundy, from giving flicker or protection to the re- bellious fubjects of the king : and by another, it was ftipulated, That a vefTel belonging to the fubjects of cither prince, fhipwrecked on the coaft of England, or the Low Countries, mould not be liable to con- fifcation, provided a man, a dog, a cat, or a cock, remained alive on board. The Flemings called this the Great Treaty of Commerce, not only be- ca,ufe ic contained many articles, but alfo in con- tradiftinction to another, which was made in the fequel, and known by the appellation of the Bad treaty, becaufe not fo advantageous to the Low Countries *. * In this year, the king granted a dition, that after alJ the expencefljonld patent to John Cabot, a Venetian, be deducted, he fliould receive one fifth amd. his three fous, for difcovering nevy of the profit. Aft. Pub. hods under the Engjifli flag, on con? HENRY VII. 301 During thefe tranfacYions, Perkin Warbeck in- A-c-*49*. finuated himfelf fo far into the good graces of the The king of Scottim king, that he undertook to place him on j^i"1" the throne of England, and being aflured that the land, ac- Englifli would declare for him in great numbers, bJ'pScin as foon as he mould appear in that kingdom, pro- Waibeck. perly attended, he railed a numerous army, which he conducted in perfon to Northumberland, ac- companied by the pretender. There he publiflied a manifefto, in which he inveighed againft Henry, as an ufurper, tyrant, and murderer j and pro* rnifed honours and advantages to thofe who fhould join their lawful prince, and help to deftroy the robber who had deprived him of his throne. This, Bacon, though a fpirited remonftrance, had very little ef- fect upon the Englifh, who were nationally averfe to the Scots, and by this time fo intimidated by the fuccefs and feverity of the reigning king, that they would no longer rifque their lives and fortunes in behalf of a ftranger, even though they believed him to be the fon of Edward. James, feeing no hopes of being joined by the Englifh, and unwil- ling to lofe his labour, ravaged the county of Northumberland with fire and fword. Then Per- kin, pretending to be touched with the misfor- tunes of the people, conjured him in public, with tears in his eyes, to fpare his wretched fubjects ; protefting he would rather live the life of a fugitive and vagabond, than be the caufe of mifchief to his countrymen. The Scot anfwered, with a farcaftic fmile, that he was too generous and tender of that which did not belong to him ; and that he would make an excellent fteward for his adverfary. James hearing that an Englifh army was on the march to give him battle, was loth to expofe the immenfe booty he had obtained to the chance of an en- gagement •, and therefore retired with expedition into his own country. Henry was not a little dif- gufted 4 Boz HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A.C. 1496. gutted at this expedition, though it had not beeri attended with any important confequence. He knew his fubjects were generally difaffected ; that the Irifh were ftrongly attached to the houfe of York i and that Perkin was flill at hand, to profit by the firft favourable opportunity that might oc- cur. In order to fecure himfelf on all hands, he granted a general amnefty to all the Irifh who had declared for the pretender, that they might not be induced to rebel again by the fear of punifhment. He employed Richard Fox bilhop of Durham, to enter into a negotiation with James, as of his own accord, and treat of a marriage between that prince and his eldeft daughter Margaret : he had already engaged in the league of Italy againfl Charles VI1L of France ; and now he fent ambafTadors to Ferdi- nand and Ifabella, to confirm the former alliance, and renew the engagements for the marriage be- tween his fon Arthur prince of Wales and their third daughter Catherine. With refpect to Scotland, notwithftanding the plan he had formed for a pacification with that kingdom, he would not let (lip any opportunity of demanding a fubfidy from parliament, which he A. c. J497i therefore convoked in the month of January. In a fpeech to both houfes, he expatiated upon the in- lult he had received from the king of Scotland ; drew a pathetic picture of the miferies which the people of the North had undergone, in the time of a truce, when they had no reafon to expect fuch hoftilities -, and declared, that the honour of his crown, and the duty he owed to his fubjects, would not permit him to bear fuch an indignity, without taking fignal vengeance on the invader. The par- liament underftood the hint, and voted a fubfidy of one hundred and twenty thoufand pounds, befides two fifteenths ; which were no fooner granted than the afiembly was difmiffrd. He did not at all doubt that HENRY VII. 303 that his negotiation with Scotland would fucceed ; A- c- J497» and' therefore, that he might have the fubfidy in his coffers before the peace fliould be concluded, he ordered his commiflioners to levy it with all pof- fibie difpatch. Thefe colleftors met with unex- o"/"^? peeled oppofition in the county of Cornwal, the niftmen. inhabitants of which loudly complained that they fhould be faddled with fuch a grievous impofition, on account of fome damage which had been done at the other end of the kingdom. Thefe murmurs were encouraged by one Michael Jofeph, a popular and factious blackfmith of Bodmin, and Thomas Flammock a lawyer of a very turbulent difpofition, who allured the common people, that the fiefs de- pending upon the crown were the proper funds af- iigned for the maintenance of war ; that the pof- feflbrs of thofe fiefs held them on condition of de- fending the frontiers ; that the king .ought to apply to them, in cafe of an invafion from Scotland, and not pillage the kingdom under the fanction of par- liament. He faid it would be (hameful to fubmit to fuch impofition, which was the work of evil minifters, that made their court to the king at the cxpence of the poor people •, that they ought to take arms in their own defence -, without injury to any perfon whatfoever, go and prefent a petition to his majefty, intreating him to eafe them of fuch a burdenfome tax, and punifh his pernicious counfellors, the chief of whom were archbifhop Morton and Sir Reginald Bray, the two mini- fters whom he confulted in all his money tran- faftions. The populace being thus inflamed, the Bacon lawyer and the blackfmith offered to conduct them, until they fhould be headed by fome perfon of quality, which they were allured would be the cafe i and they forthwith armed themfelves with fuch weapons as they could procure. Under the dire&ion of thefe two incendiaries, they marched through 4 HISTORY o* ENGLAND. c. 1497. through the counties of Devon and Somerfet, their numbers continually increafing in their route; At Taunton they murdered a collector, who had been very rigorous in the execution of his office •, and this was the only a6t of violence the y committed. At Wells they were joined by the lord Audeley, an unquiet and ambitious nobleman, who, being chofen their general, conducted them to Salifbury and Winchefter, without allowing them to do the leaft injury to the places through which they pafled. Inftead of marching directly to London, according to their original defign, they turned off towards Kent, in hope of being joined by the people of that county, who were laid to be very zealous for the liberty of the fubject : but they were difappoint • ed in their expectation. The noblemen and free- holders of Kent had taken fuch precautions to pre- vent an infurrection, that the Cornilhmcn were not joined by one perfon in the county : a circum- ftance which difcouraged a great number of the in- furgents to fuch a degree, that they retired to their own habitations. The reft, however, animated by the backwardnefs of the king, who had made no attempt to flop their progrefs, continued their march, boafting that they would either give him battle or take London under his eye. With this refolution they proceeded as far as Blackheath, and encamped between Eltham and Greenwich. When the king firft heard of this infurrection he had already raifed an army for the Scottim war, and given the command of it to the lord chamber- Iain Daubeney ; but now he refolved to keep the bed part of the troops in the fouthern part of the kingdom, and fent the earl of Surrey with a de- tachment to guard the northern frontiers. Under- ftanding that the rebels did not wafte the country in their march, he continued inactive, that he might judge of the difaffection that pre/ailed in the counties HENRY VII. 305 counties through which they patted, by the number *•• c- '497. that would join them in their route : he was not without hope that they would difperfeof themfelves, tired of the length and hardfhips of their march ; and, mould they proceed to the neighbourhood of London, he forefaw that they would be more eafily and effectually crufhed, at fuch a diftance from their own country, than they could have been in the weftern parts of England. The citizens of Lon- don were overwhelmed with confternation at their approach, until they faw the king exert himfelf in earneft for their defence, and even place himfelf be- Thev ^ tween them and the danger. He no fooner under- defeLdon flood that they had encamped at Blackheath, than B]ackh«th. he divided his army into three bodies, one of which, commanded by the earl of Oxford, marched round the hill, in order to cut off their retreat, and attack them in the rear, mould it be found neceffary to pradife that expedient. The fecond, under the conduct of the lord Daubeney, was deftined to charge them in the front ; and Henry himfelf, with the third divifion, encamped in St. George's fields, with a view to reinforce the others occafionally, or throw himfelf into London, in cafe of mifchance. Thefe difpofitions being made, he declared that he would give the rebels battle on Monday, though his intention was to engage them on 'Saturday, which he deemed fortunate in all his emerprizes. By this feint he hoped to find them unprepared ; and it fucceeded according to his wifh. On the twenty-fecond day of June, towards the clofe of day, the lord Daubeney marched towards them, in order of battle. Having defeated an advanced guard at Deptford- bridge, where they made a vi- gorous ftand, he afcended the hill, and found them pretty far in the heath, drawing up in battalia, not without manifeft confufion ; for they did not ex- pect to be attacked till Monday, and in that no- N°, 47. X tioa ?o6 HISTORY OP ENGLAND. A. c. 1497. t-on fuffere d themfelves to be furprifed. Never- theleis, they fought with uncommon courage, tho* in a tumultuary manner, and killed above three hundred of the king's foldiers, with arrows of a very uncommon length. The lord Daubeney at- tacked them with fuch fury and precipitation, that he was taken prifoner in the beginning of the ac- tion, but immediately refcued by the valour of his men, who charged with irrefiftible fury, and the rebels were routed with great flaughter ; for when they attempted to fly, they found themfelves inter- cepted by the earl of Oxford's divifion. The lord Audeley, Flammock, and the blackfmith were taken -, and of fixteen thoufand, to which their number amounted, two thoufand fell in the field of battle : as for the reft, they fubmitted to the king's pleafure. Audeley was beheaded on Tower- hill •, Flammock and the blackfmith fuffered at Tyburn, the latter expreffing great fatisfaction that his name fhould be famous in after-times ; and all the reft were pardoned by proclamation. While Henry was employed in quelling this re- bellion, the king of Scotland, judging this a fa- .vourable opportunity, made a fecond irruption in- to England, and invefted the caftle of Norham ; but the earl of Surrey marching to its relief, he re- (tired to his own country, whither he was puriued by the Englifn general, who took the caftle of Ayton, •jreatfr.f fituated between Berwick and Edinburgh. The peace be- king of England defired nothing more than a rvS th?" peace with James, by which he would not only be king of freed from his apprehenfion of Perkin Warbeck, andt but alfo be enabled to fave the fubfidy in his own coffers : but he was afraid to make the firft over- tures, left he fhould meet with a repulfe. In re- flecting upon this fubjecl, he bethought himfelf of a fit agent for negotiating a peace between the two nations, without his fuffcring in point of honour. This HENRY VII. This was Don Pedro D'Ayala the Spanifh ambaf- A.C. j497 fodor, fent by Ferdinand and IfabeDa to conclude the contract of marriage between the prince of Wales and the infanta Catherine. This envoy, Bacon« who enjoyed a great fhare of Henry's confidence, undertook to vifit the king of Scotland, and as from himfeif propofe an accommodation. He accordingly fee out for Edinburgh, and executed his commiffion, on pretence that nothing would afford more pleafure to his mailer the king of Spaind than to fee two monarchs, who were his friends and allies, live in good understanding with each other. He found the Scott ifh king fo well difpofed to a Bacon,1 treaty, that he wrote to Henry, afifuring him of fuccefs ; and a congrefs was immediately opened at Ayton, under the mediation of this ambaffador. The greateft difficulty that occurred was on the fub- ject of Perkin Warbeck, whofe perfon Henry de- manded, and whom James pofidvely refufed to de- liver. The bifhop of Durham propofed an inter- view between the two kings at Newcaftle •, but the Scot rejected this propofal, obferving, that how de- firous foever he might be of peace, he would not go and beg it in his enemy's country. At length both fides agreed that James mould honourably difmifs the pretended duke of York, and after- wards proceed with the negotiation, as if Perkin had never been in Scotland. In purfuanCe of this convention, that monarch told this adventurer, that he had done every thing in his power to fupporc him in his pretenfions ; that he had twice entered England at the head of an army •, but that, as the Englifh had refufed to efpoufe his caufe, he could not expect that the Scots would, without their con- currence, be able to eftablim him on the throne of England. He therefore advifed him to form fome more feafible plan, and chufe fome other country for the pla.-e of hi? refidence : at the fame time he X 2 affurcd 3'ofr HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A.C. 1497. aflurec} hi^ that ne would punctually fulfil his pro- mife ; that he fhould not repent of having put him- felf into his hands y for he jfhould be honourably accommodated with mips and neceffaries for his sir j. Wa;r.v°yage' Perkin bore his misfortune with a good grace •, thanked the king of Scotland for the pro- tection and other favours he had enjoyed from his bounty -, and defired that he and his wife might be conveyed to Ireland. James complied with hi1; requeft ; and he arrived at Cork, where he ftilt found friends and adherents. He had no fooner quitted Scotland, than the ambafiadors at Ay ton figned a treaty of truce forfeven years, importing, That the two kings mould not make war upon each other by themfelves, their fubjects, or any other perfon whatfoever : That certain points about which the ambaffadors could not agree, fhould be referred to the arbitration of Ferdinand and Ifa- bella : And that the truce fhould be prolonged till one year after the death of that party who mould die before the other. But at this treaty no mention was made of the marriage between James and Henry's daughter, which afterwards took effect, Rymw. ancj gave Djrtn to the union of the two kingdoms. A.C. 1458. Henry was by this convention fecured from a Scottifh invafion, and found himfelf at peace with all the princes in Europe. Since the treaty of Eftaples, no quarrel had arifen between him and Charles king of France, who, dying at this period, •was fucceeded by the duke of Orleans, under the name of Lewis XII. This prince was no lefs dif- pofed to maintain an amicable intercourfe with Henry. He turned all his views towards Italy -, and therefore found it convenient to live upon good terms with the king of England, who might have defeated all his projects, by making a diverfion in Picardy. He no fooner mounted the throne of France, than he procured a diffolution of his mar- riage HENRY VII. 309 riage with Jane, daughter of Lewis XI. in order to A>c- lw*- efpoufe Anne of Brittany, widow of his predeceflbr. JnJ***1' Without fuch an expedient, he might have feen marries his that dutchy once more feparated from France, and iSjjf*'' in the power of fome foreign family. Mezerai. Though the king of England had nothing to fear from foreign enemies *, he was once more expofed to the danger of a domeftic infurrection. His clemency to the Cornifh infurgencs, who had played two or three fhillings each for their ranfom, inftead of reconciling them to his government, , ferved only to excite new disturbances. When they returned to their own country, they publicly pro- claimed, that the gentlenefs with which they had been treated was not owing to the king's mercy, but his apprehenfion of his own fubjects, three fourths of whom were of the fame fentiments which they pro&ffed. Thefe infmuations perfuading their friends and neighbours that the whole kingdom was ready to take arms againft Henry, they began to afiemble in companies, and concert meafures for making another attempt againft the government. Some of the moft zealous among them, under- itanding that Perkin Warbeck was in Ireland, pro- pofed that he fliould be invited over, and chofen general of their intended expedition. They ac- cordingly fent a deputation to tell him, that if he would repair to Cornwal he would find considerable fuccours, which, with the affiftance of his other * In the courfe of this year, the Columbus, who, in all probability, Ifing granted another patenc toSebafti- would have been retained inthe fervicc an Cabot, the Venetian, for the dif- ofHenry, an . , r • r an attempt bsr, repaired to Bodmin, wnere the former infur- upm Exe- re&ion had begun. There being joined by about three thoufand men, he published a proclamation, in which he afiumed the title of Richard IV. king of England, inveighed bitterly againft Henry Tu- dor •, and exhorted the people, with promife of ex- traordinary rewards, to take arms, in order to de- pofe the ufurper. Then he marched to Exeter, with a view to eftablifli a magazine in the place, and keep it as a retreat, in cafe of difafter. Being denied admittance, he tampered with the inhabi- tants ; but finding them (launch to the eftablifhed government, he refolved to take the city by afTault. For this purpofe, he provided fcaling- ladders and beams to batter one of the gates, which he after- wards fet on fire : his attempt, however, mifcar- rif d j and he was repulfed with the lofs of two two hundred men, which greatly difcouraged his followers. When the king was informed of thefe circum- ftances, he exprefled himfelf well pleafed with the tidings, faying in derifion, that now the king of Rakehell was landed in the Weft, he hoped to have the honour of feeing him before he mould kave the kingdom. At the fame time he hinted, that he Iboulci thankfully receive and requite the Bawa. fervices of the noblemen on fuch an occafion. Seve- ral lords and gentlemen of the county of Devon HENRY VIT. 311 .and the neighbourhood, afiembled troops of their A> c< '498' own accord, in confequence of this intimation ; and the king ordered the lord Daubeney to march to the relief of Exeter, declaring that he would fol- low him in perfon, at the head of a numerous army.' Perkin, receiving intelligence of thefe preparations, raifed the fiege, and retired to Taunton, where he declared he would hazard an engagement ; but in the night he withdrew with fome of his confidents to the fanctuary of Beaulieu in the New Foreft. Retires to a The lord Daubeney, being informed of his retreat, SifiS ™ detached three hundred horfe in purfuit of him ; but finding him already houfed, they befettheianc- tuary, until they fhould receive further orders. In the mean time the rebels, to the number of fix thoufand, finding themfelves abandoned by their chief, fubrrtitted to the mercy of the king, who par- doned the whole number, except fome of the ring- leaders, whom he referved to be hanged as an exam- ple. He afterwards lent a detachment of cavalry to St. Michael's Mount, to fecure the lady Cathe- rine Gordon, the wife of Perkin, forefeeing that if fhe was pregnant, the rebellion might be continued to another generation. When that lady was brought into the king's prefence, he was fo ftruck with her beauty and modefl deportment, that he confoled her in very affectionate terms, with promife of pro- tection, fent her under a ftrong guard to attend upon the queen, and beftowed upon her a confide- rable penfion, which ihe enjoyed during his life, and many years after his deceafe. Thefe fteps be- ing taken, Henry proceeded to Exeter, and in en- tering the city prefented his own fword to the mayor, to be carried before that magiftrate as a token of the king's favour and good- will to die citizens, who had behaved with fuch loyalty and valour, in defence of his government. Then he ordered the ringleader of the infurrection to be X 4 hanged 3i2 HISTORY OP ENGLAND. , A. c. j498. hanged in terrorem ; and granted commiffions ta the lord Darcy and others, to impofe fines ''upon fuch as were in any fhape concerned in the rebel- lion. Thefe agents fqueezed the wretched people with the utmoft feverky, and rendered the king's moderation with refpect to their lives, rather a curfe R>mer- than a bleffing. The difturbance being thus effectually quelled, Henry called a council to deliberate on the fate of Perkin, who ftill continued invefted in the fane- tuary •, and after fome debate, it was determined that the king mould pardon him, on condition of his confeffing and explaining every circumftance of the impofture, which he had fo long maintained. His affairs being altogether defpsrate, he embraced the king's offers without hefitation, and quitted the fanctuary. Henry being defirous of feeing him, he was brought to court, where the king obferved him from a window, but he would never admit him into his prefence. He was afterwards conduct- ed to London, and by Henry's order rode in pub- lic through the ftreets from Weftminfter to the Tower, and back again, amidft the derifion and infults of the populace, which he bore with the mod dignified refignation. Then be was confined Is cimm;t- » r ..... ted to the in the 1 ower, where one or his principal accom- Tower. plices was executed •, and he himfelf figned a con- fefiion, which was printed and difperfed through the nation. But this was fo lame, defective, and contradictory, that, inftead of explaining the pre- tended impofture, it left it more doubtful than be- fore, and induced many people to believe that Perkin Warbeck was really the Ion of the fourth Edward -f. •f- About the latter end of the year, tion of Henry, who crdered it to rie the king's palace at Shene took firf> rebuilt under the name of Richmor.d, and was cor.furred, with all its valua- which it ftill retains, blc furnifjre, to the great inortificz- The HEN R Y VII. 313 The fucceeding year began with an incident, *-c-M9S. which, tho' it at firft feemed to threaten trouble- Tome confequences, was productive of great fatif- faction to Henry. While the truce fubfifted between England and Scotland, fome Scottifh gentlemen happening to be at iNorham, were infulted by the garrifon, and a quarrel enfuing, fome of them loft their lives. Complaint of this outrage being made to the Englifh commiffioners, who acted as con- fervators of the truce,, the affair was treated with fuch contempt,' that the king of Scotland fent ambaffadors into England, to demand immediate fatisfacbon. Henry, who carefully avoided all caufes of rupture with James, difowned the vio- lators of the truce, and forthwith appointed envoys, to terminate the difference in an amicable manner. A< c< *499' It was in the courfe of this negotiation, that James propofed a match between himfelf and Margaret Jer^dTith the eldeft daughter of Henry, than which nothing Scotland. could be more agreeable to the king of England. After the truce was renewed at Stirling, with the addition of fome new articles, Richard Fox, bifhop of Durham, received a commifTion, to fettle the conditions of the marriage, which was actually ce- lebrated in 'the fequel. Rymer. Tho' Henry had by this time triumphed over all his enemies, and the pope had granted a difpenfa- tion for the marriage of his fon Arthur with Cathe- rine of Arragon, Ferdinand feemed ftill averfe to this match while Henry's title was liable to the leaft objection. That cautious Spaniard feemed to har- bour fome doubts concerning the impofture of War- beck ; and even hinted, that Henry's throne could not be firmly eftablifhed while any prince of the houfe of York remained alive. The king of Eng- land was fo intent upon the Spaniih alliance, and . fo tired of the fucceffive infurrections by which his reign had been difturbed, that he refolved to facri- fice 3H HISTORY OF' ENGLAND. A. 0.1499. fice the youth called Perkin, as well as Edward earl of Warwick, to his intereft and fafety. Ed- ward, the fon of George duke of Clarence, had fmce the death of his uncle Richard been clofely confined in the Tower, debarred of the benefit of air, exercife, and converfation ; and kepc in fuch ignorance, that he could fcarce diftinguim the do- poiyd. vir- meftic animals by name. Perkin Warbeck, who jj^ doubdefs felt that defire of liberty which is fo natu- ral to the mind of man, and had reafors to dread every thing from Henry's difpofuion, was permit- ted to converfe with this haplefs nobleman, as well as with the domeftics of lord Digby, lieutenant of the Tower; and in all probability he was indulged with this permiffion by the connivance of the king, Perkm who hoped that his enterprizing genius, and infi- tt-Jer? nuating addrefs, would engage the fimple earl of with the Warwick in fome project, that would furnifh a pre- wTck^iX text for taking away their lives under colour of Tower. jjuftice. Perkin fell into the fnare, according to Henry's expectation : he tampered with Warwick, and gained over four fervants" of Sir John Digby, who are faid to have undertaken the murder of their mafter, that they might fecure the keys of the Tower, and efcape with the two prifoners, to fome part of the kingdom, where a new infurrection might be raifed in favour of the pretender. That the danger might appear the more imminent and prefling, fo as to juftify the ileps which Henry intended to take, another difturbance was raifed at the fame time in Kent, where a young man called Ralph Wiiford, the fon of a cordwainer, perfonated the earl of Warwick, under the conduct and di- rection of one Patrick, an Auguftine monk, who in public Sermons exhorted the people to take arms in his favour. This friar, who had been ufed as •i ;>ev are * to°^ ^ tllie ^'mS>s erniffaries, was arrefted together both tried with his pupil i and Wiiford w-as hanged without and execut- ceremony, HENRY VII. 315 ceremony, but the tutor obtained his pardon. This AtC- '499- was the prelude to the fate of Perkin aud the earl of Warwick, whofe pretended plot being now dif- covered, Perkin was tried at Weftminfter, and be- ing convicted on the evidence of lord Digby's fer- vants, was hanged at Tyburn, with John Walter, mayor of Cork, who had conftantly adhered to his caufe in all the viciflitudes of his fortune. Blewec 3nd Aflwood, two of Digby's fervants, under- went the fame fate : but fix other perfons, con- demned as accomplices in the fame confpiracy, were pardoned. In a few days after Per kin's exe- Dugdaie. cution, Edward earl of Warwick was tried by his peers before John earl of Oxford, created high fteward on that occafion ; and being convicted of high treafon, in confequence of pleading guilty to the arraignment, was beheaded on Tower-Hill. The deplorable end of this innocent nobleman, the Bacon' lafl male branch of the Plantagenets, and the fate of Perkin Warbeck, who, notwithftanding all that appeared againft him, was by the unprejudiced part of the nation deemed the real fon of king Edward, filled the whole kingdom with fuch horror and averfion to the government of Henry, that he was fain to tranflate the odium upon his ally Ferdinand, by divulging that prince's fcruples, for the re- moval of which he had been obliged to deliver the competitors for his crown into the hands of juftice. About this period, the peace of Eftaples between A. c. isoo, France and England, was approved and ratified by the ftates of France aflembled at Nantes ; and con- firmed by the authority of the pope, who ifiued a bull, denouncing excommunication upon that prince who mould violate the treaty. Lewis was the more inclined to live upon good terms with England, as he formed the defign to make himfelf matter of Milan, by means of a league with the Venetians. He 316 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A. 0.1500. He accordingly joined thefe confederates, and at- tacked Ludovico Sforza, fovereign of that dutchy, who was obliged to fly for refuge to the emperor, after having loft all his dominions. But the caftle of Milan, and Genoa, of which he had been in The pope poffeffion, voluntarily fubmhted to Lewis. Pope propofes a Alexander Vi. having publifhed a jubilee for the *fu&de, beginning of the century, permitted thofe chriftians who lived at a great diftance from Rome, to pur- chafe the privilege of the feftival, without being obliged to vific the churches of that city. In order to collect the fums arifing from this indulgence, he fent agents into all the dates of Chriftendom -, and employed a Spaniard called Gafpar Pons, ibr that purpofe in England, where he railed a large contribution. This nuncio was directed to inform the king, that his holinefs had refolved to publifli a crufade againft the Turks, and even to go in perfon with the Englifh monarch, the Venetians, and the princes of Italy, to attack Conflantinople by fea, while the other powers of Europe mould fall upon them in Thrace, Greece, and different parts of the continent. Henry plainly perceived that Alexander's drift was to amais money by con- tributions for this expedition ; but, he diffembling his opinion, exprefTed the utnioft zeal for the fuc- cefs of the enterprizs j offered to furnifh a large proportion of men and money ; to ferve under his, holinefs in perfon -, and demanded, that fome ftrong places on the coaft of Italy might be put into his hands, to ferve as retreat in cafe of neceffity. He even appointed ambarTadors to go and treat with the pontiff on this fubject; and made fuch a pa- rade of his zeal for the intereft of religion, that the knights of Rhodes chofe him protector of their order. But as this was a chimerical project, which Alexander had no intention to execute, he en- joyed the credit of his forwardnefs, without fubject- HENRY VII. 517 ing himfelf to the leaft expence ; and the other po- *• c- '5°°- tcntates of Europe receiving the pope's propofai with great coldnefs and indifference, the whole fcheme vanifhed into fmoke. England being gricvouQy afflicted with a plague, B*on' ' Henry, after having feveral times changed the place The king - - hasanin- . terview to Calais, where he received an embafly from the with the archdu'-- Philip of his refidence, retired with his queen and family tervievv with th. archduke Philip, defiring a friendly interview, and the king agreed to meet him in the church of St. Peter, which Hands without the gates of Calais, as the archduke expreffed a reluctance to enter a for- tified city. At the time fixed for their meeting, Henry being informed of his approach, rode out to receive "him on horfeback, and Phiiip alighting, ran up to hold his ftirrup •, but Henry would not admit of fuch humiliation, and they embraced each other with marks, of the moft cordial affection. Then they entered the church, where they had a long conference, in which the archduke defired to live in friendlhip with the Englilh monarch, whom he addreffed with the appellation of his good pa - tron, father, and protector. During Henry's re- fidence at Calais, he was alfo vifited by the gover- nor of Picardy, and bailiff of Amiens, fent by the French king, to congratulate him on his coming to the continent; and notify his conqueft of Milan. That prince, in order to teftify his good will to the king of England, had follicited and obtained a bull from the pope, declaring him excommunicated, fhould he ever fail in the yearly payments to Henry, ftipulated in the treaty of Eftaples. The pope, at the fame time, granted a difpenfation for the mar- riage of James king of Scotland, with the princefs Margaret, tho5 on account of her tender years the confummation was poftponed. Henry being now at peace with all Europe, and praams «- his dominions enjoying the moft profound repofe, ^^J^ the* w 3i 8 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A.C. i5cc. the avarice of his diipofition had leifure to exert itfelf, and his defire of amafiing became every day more and more rapacious. As he had no longer any pretence for demanding fubfidies from parlia- ment, he refolved to drain the party of Warbeck, until they fhould be quite exhaufted. On the fup- pofition that the adherents of this pretender were ftill fubjeft to the rigour of the laws, he infifted upon their being indulged with feparate pardons, which they did not at all follicit ; and compelled them to pay largely for this indulgence. He ap- pointed commiflioners to fet on foot anew enquiry about thofe who had in any manner aflerted or fa- voured the revolt of the blackfmith, and that of Perkin Warbeck. Thefe inquifitors were impov/er- ed to amerce at difcretion every individual who mould have the benefit of the pardon ; and even to feize the effects of the deceafed, mould their heirs refuie to make a compofition. Such oppref- fion augmented the popular clamour againft Hen- ry, and was in a great meafure attributed to the coun- iels of cardinal Morton archbimop of Canterbury, who died at this period, very little regretted by the D"H Abi> Englifh. He was fucceeded in his metropolitan fee by Henry Dean biihop of Salisbury ; and now the nation perceived, that Henry's avarice and ex- tortion were not the effects of Morton's advice, hut qualities inherent in his own conftitution. Never Rymer. was kjr,g of England more hated by his fubjecls, though this hatred was mingled with fear, pro- duced by his uninterrupted fuccefs, and the opinion of his great ability both as a monarch and a poli- tician. All the powers upon the continent courted his alliance ; and all the malecontents of England . were overawed into forbearance. A. c. 1501. Notwithftanding this felicity, he was not a little diilurbed by an accident which at this juncture en- croached upon his repofe. The earl of Suffolk, •j nephew HENRY VII. 319 fiephew to king Edward IV. and brother to the*-0-1*01' earl of Lincoln, who had fallen in the battle of Stoke, chanced to kill a man in his pa/lion ; and, though he was a branch of the houfe of York, the king confented to indulge him with a pardon ; but, in order to leave a ftigma upon his character, he obliged him to appear perfonally, and plead his pardon in public. The earl being of an haughty zariof Suf- difpofition, refented this difgrace fo deeply, that {jfj^** he retired in difguft to his aunt Margaret, dutchefs tent to the dowager of Flanders ; and Henry was not a little £?£ Coua- forded at his retreat. In order to anticipate any Bacon, defigns he might hatch to his prejudice, he fent over emifTaries, who by dint of promifes and profeffions, perfuaded him to return and be reconciled to the government. Henry's throne being now fo firmly •eftablilhed, that there was hardly a poflibility to make it, Ferdinand king of Arragon, parted with his daughter Catherine, who arriving in England Catherine of in the month of October, was married to Arthur ^Sta prince of Wales, and the nuptials were celebrated Arthur at London, with great pomp and folemnity, on ^"ecse 0< the fourteenth day of November, the prince being then turned of fifteen, and the lady about the age of eighteen. Her dower amounted to two hundred thoufand ducats in money, jewels, and plate ; and a third part of the principality of Wales, duke- dom of Cornwal, and earldom of Chefler, was af- figned to her as a jointure, provided her hufband fhould die before his acceffion to the throne. , This match was fucceeded by the contract of ' another marriage, between the king of Scotland, and Henry's daughter Margaret, on whom her fa- tvvt ther beftowed a portion of thirty thoufand crowns, s'co The marriage treaty was ratified by the Scottifh "d IJ ambaflfadors at London, on the twenty- fourth day M^ga of January; and the nuptials were folerhnized byA'c'' proxy, amidft the rejoicings of the people, who hoped 32o HISTORY' OF ENGLAND: A. c. 1502. hoped the mifchiefs attending the mutual enmity of the two kingdoms would ceafe, by virtue of this alliance, tho' perhaps they did not forefee the union which it afterwards produced. When this affair was debated in council, an Englifh nobleman ob- ferved, that if Henry mould furvive his male-iffue, the crown would devolve to the king of Scotland ; to which infinuation Henry replied, that in fuch a cafe Scotland would become an acceffion to Eng- land, as the fmaller would always be fwallowed up in the greater dominion. On this occafion a treaty of perpetual peace between the two nations was figned and confirmed, together wich certain articles for preventing excurfions on either fide ; but the coniummation of marriage was, on account of the tender years of the princefs, poftponed till the fol- lowing year, when the king accompanied her on her way as far as Colli-Wefton, where he configned her and her attendants to the care of the earl of Northumberland, who, with a considerable retinue of noblemen and ladies, conveyed her to the king Bacon. her husband at Edinburgh. Death of ^e J0^ Pr°duced by this marriage was foon Anhur.0 damped by the death of Arthur prince of Wales, who did not furvive his nuptials above five months. He died at Ludlow-Caftle, univerfally regretted by the Englifh nation, who had conceived happy omens from his promifing talents •, and, in about H* brother three months after his deceafe, his brother Henry "eTpiSce was> *n ^ twe^tn year of nis age> created prince of Wales, of Wales, earl of Chefter and Flint, the dutchy of Cornwal devolving upon him by a<5l of parliament. During the courfe of this year the emperor Max- imilian fent an embafTy to England, to propofe a league againft the Turks, and to borrow money of Henry, who chofe rather to prefent him with ten thoufand pounds fieri ing, as a free gift for that purpofe, than to engage in the league, or begin a traffic HENRY VII. 321 traffic of lending money to fuch a beggarly potert- A for his avarice becoming every day more and more infatia- ble, he employed all his invention in devifing new methods of extortion. For thefe fordid purpofes Thefcmg he retained two infamous minifters called Empfon a^oSiey1* and Dudley, who followed the profefTion of the «« them- Jaw, and pradifed all its fubterfuges and chicanery, in oppreffing the fubjeds with falfe accufations and imprifonment, until they were fain to purchafe what was called a mitigation, with the beft part of their fubftance. Such was their infoience, that they did not even obferve the common forms of juftice ; but proceeded with the mod arbitrary licence, to attack pretended delinquents, and try them in private, without fair examination or verdid: of jury : and thefe ads of violence they exercifed under the authority of the king, who fhared the fruits of their » On the ninth day of Dec-ember je61s of the king of Portugal, to iraks 1502, tne king granted a patent to difcoveries by lea, and take pofTtflicn James Elliot and Thomas Afhhurft of unknown lands, under the £ng!ifl» merchants cf Briftol, and to John f.aj. Act. Pub. Gonzales and Francis Fernanics, 'uj- N°. 47. Y oppreflion. 322 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A, c. 1.503. opprefiion. He even infilled upon their keeping regular accompts of this fcandalous commerce, and maintained a kind of diftributive juftice, even in- the practice of corruption -f*. He let flip no occa- fion for amafTmg money, howfoever mean or un- grateful it might be. One day when he was mag- nificently entertained by the earl of Oxford, to whofe fervices he was in a great meafure indebted for the crown he enjoyed, he perceived a greater number of domeftics in livery than the law allowed him to maintain ; and turning to the earl, " My " Lord (faid he) I have heard much of your hofpi- " tality, but it exceeds report. Are all thefe gen- *' tlemen and yeomen your menial fcrvants r" Ox- ford anfwering, that they were retained upon fuch extraordinary occafions only, Henry affected fur- prize, and replied with fome warmth, " By my " faith ! my lord, I thank you for my good " chear -, but I may not endure to have my laws " broken in my fight. My attorney muft fpeak tc with you." The earl was afterwards obliged to compound for this mifdemeanor by the payment Bacon. ' of fifteen thoufand marks. Such conduct in the king and his minifters could folk trm!l not fail to render them extremely odious to the peo- confpiracy p}e, who murmured incefTantly againft the govern- kfin'g.11' ment; and this difcontent encouraged the earl of Suffolk, whofe fortune was by this time greatly re- duced by his own extravagance, to form new pro- jects againft the perfon and government of Henry. He had acquired a degree of popularity as the fur- viving branch of the houfe of York : he privately engaged fome perfons of confide ration in his interefr. j •f- We ate informed liy lord Veru- Received of luch a one five marks for lam, that he had fe en a book of fuch a pardon ; \\hich, if it do not pafs} accompts, kept by Empfon, and fub- th« money to be repayed, or the party I'cribed in almoft every leaf by the ctherwife fatisfied." Oppofite to this ting's own hand j among other arti- memorandum the king had writ with c Ics he found the following i " Item, his own haji^, •' Otherwife fatisfied.1' HENRY Vlt. 323 and then retired to Flanders, in hope of receiv- A-c- ing countenance and fuccour from the old dutcheis of Burgundy. The king, alarmed a: his retreat, and eager to know his fcheme, with the names of his aflbciates, repeated the expedient he had ufed in the cafe of Perkin Warbeck. Sir Robert Cur- fon, governor of the caftle of Hammes, being properly inftructedj abandoned his charge, on pre- tence of having been injured by the king ; and re- tiring to Flanders, offered his fervice to the earl of Suffolk. He acted his part with fuch dexterity, that in a little time he infmuated himfelf into the confidence of that nobleman -, and foon difcovered all his aflbciates. The intelligence was forthwith conveyed to Henry, who immediately ififued war- Plices ar< rants for arrefting his own brother-in-law William pui Courtney earl of Devonshire, hufband to the prin* cefs Catherine, daughter of Edward IV. William de la Pole, brother to the earl of Suffolk, Sir James Tyrrel, and Sir John Wyndham. George lord Abelgavenny, and Sir Thomas Green, were appre- hended at the fame time, upon flight fufpicion, but foon difcharged. The earl of Devonftiire, and de la Pole, tho* nothing material appeared agairift them, were detained prifoners during the king's life. Tyrre^ who had been concerned in the death of Edward V. was beheaded, together with Wynd- ham ; and feveral others of inferior note were ex- ecuted as traitors. Henry, willing to be ftill better informed touching the particular defigns of the earl of Suffolk, took a very extraordinary method to maintain Curfon in the confidence of that no* bleman. He publifhed in St. Paul's church, the bull of pope Innocent VIII. denouncing the cen- fures of the church againft all thofe who mould difturb his government -, and caufed the earl of Suffolk and Sir Robert Curfon to be excommuni- cated by name. When this emififary had difcovered Y 2 all HIST OR Y OF EN G LAND. all the earl's fecrets, he returned to England ; and was readmitted into the king's favour, which, how- ever, he did not enjoy without the curfes of the people, who abhorred his perfidy. Suffolk finding himfelf betrayed, led for fome time a vagrant life in Germany, and at length returned to Flanders, where the archduke took him under his protection, after the death of the dutchefs dowager. Henry being unwilling to refund one half of Ca- therine's dower, which he had already received, and extremely eager to touch the other moiety, propofed to Ferdinand that the young widow mould be married to Henry prince of Wales, brother to her late hufband -, and the propofal was embraced by the lady's parents, provided the pope's difpen- fation could be procured. In the convention fettled between the two courts on this fubjec~l, one reafon alkdged for demanding the difpenfation, was, that the marrage between Arthur and Catherine had been formally iblemnized and confummated ; and pope Pius IV. the fucceflbr of Alexander, when -he granted this difpenfation, exprefly mentioned in the bull, that Catherine in her petition acknowledged her former marriage had been iblemnized in due form, and perhaps confummated. That this was really the cafe, we may gather from the declaration of Arthur himfelf to fome of his attendants, on the morning after he had been bedded with the princefs. . On the fmeenth day of January the king af- iembied a parliament, on pretence of enacting new laws, but in effect to demand a fubfidy for the por- tion of his'eldeft daughter, which he accordingly re- ceived to a much greater value than that he paid to the king of Scotland ; fo that he was every way a gainer by the marriage. That he was now quite e abfolute. in his dominions, appears from the con- . ffcjcenf]On of tne commons, who chofe for their fueaker that very Dudley whom the whole nation detefled HENRY VH. 325 detefted as the inftrument by which they were fo ^e^s^ grievoufly opprefTed. This complaifant parliament defired him to accept of forty thoufand pounds, in lieu of aids, for knighting his eideft fon Arthur, and the marriage of his daughter Margaret-, and he, in token of his moderation and regard to his fubjects, remitted one fourth ofthatfum, the reft being levied on the cities, boroughs, towns, and landholders of the kingdom. He likewife filled his coffers by an aft of parliament pafled in this fef- lion, attainting a great number of perfons who had been concerned in the infurrections from the very beginning of his reign ; as well as by another, dif- annulling all patents and grants enjoyed by thofe who either refufed to appear, when fummoned, in the king's defence againft enemies and rebels, or retired from that frrvice without licence. The pa- tents of jails were likewife refumed and re annexed to the meriffwicks ± foreign manufa6tures of filk were prohibited ; a law was enacted again!! the cur- rency of diminifhed filver pieces, which underwent a recoinage : and feveral regulations were made for the maintenance of civil policy. Notwithftand- ing thefe fources of wealth, Henry, before the ex- piration of the year, iffued commifiions for a ge- neral benevolence, though he could not afiign the the leaft fhadow of a reafon for this impofition ; and the city of London was fain to pay rive thoufand marks for the confirmation of its liberties. Not fatisfied with the payment of the fecond moiety of Catherine's portion, the fubfidy granted by parlia- ment, the confifcation of eftates, the profits of re- coinage, the benevolence, and redemption of the city's liberties, he ftill continued to grind the face of the fubjects by means of Empfon and Dudley, who amafled great fortunes, as the tools of his rapacity. y 3 in 3*6 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A. c, 1504, jn order to make fome fort of atonement fof thefe extortions, and do fomething that might re- commend him to the houfe of Lancafter, he or- dered the body of king Henry VI. to be removed from Windfor to Weftminfter, where it was inter-^ red with great pomp ; and applied to the pope for a bull to canonize that monarch : but the miracles, attributed to that prince after his death, were fo ill aflerted, that his holinefs would not admit him to a place among the faints, without fuch a confidera- tion as Henry did not think proper to afford ; and Difference therefore the defign was laid afide. I fatal, queen between of Caflilc, dying in November, her hufband Fer- Spwii, dinand immediately notified her deceafe to Henry, en the death giving him to underftand, that ihe had appointed ^m (Ferdinand) adminiftrator of the kingdom of Caftile, for their daughter Joan, married to Pmlip archduke of Auftria. This prince, being engaged in a war with the duke of Guelderland, could not immediately repair to Spain to take pofleflion of this inheritance, and therefore connived, for the prefent, at the adminiftration of his father-in-law; refolving, however, to deprive him of it with the firft opportunity. On the other hand, Ferdinand, by virtue of Ifabel's laft will, pretended to enjoy the adminiftration till his dying day. This was a very interefting difference to Henry, who refcm- bled Ferdinand not only in his difpofition, bu£ even in the nature of his fituation. He knew the majority of his fybjects looked upon his late confort Elizabeth as the rightful queen of England -, and that her right had now, of confequence, devolved to the prince of Wales, her fon and lawful fuccef- for. He, therefore, confide'red the termination of the difference between Ferdinand and Philip, as a precedent for or againft his own title. He was afraid that Philip would engage in a league with J^ewis XII. and the emperor, in order to expel his father- HENRY VII, 327 father-in-law from Caftile, in which cafe he mould A-c- 'S0*- be obliged to fupport his ally againft three power- ful adverfaries. He forefaw that fuch contention would involve him in new dangers, and drain his coffers, which he had been at fuch pains to fill, and -in the contemplation of which he placed his chief •happinefs. This was the goal to which all his en- A c. t.05t deavours tended. He formed the defign of efpouf- . ing the widow of Ferdinand king of Naples, that he might enjoy the great dower which had been af- figned to her in that kingdom : and perhaps he thought, that in confequence of this match, he might be chofen arbiter of the differences fubfifting between the kings of France and Arragon, touching the territories of Naples. That kingdom had been conquered and divided between them, though this partition was attended by a quarrel, which produ- ced two battles, and thefe proved fatal to the French intereft in Italy. Henry was fo eager to know the difpofition of the Caftilians towards Ferdinand, and the parti- Jengn^pon culars relating to the perfonal qualities and circum- the widow fiances of the queen of Naples, that he fent three khfgeSnand perfons in whom he could confide ; namely Francis Naples. Marfen, James Braybrook, and John Stile, to ob- tain intelligence on the fpot. They fet out on pre- tence of travelling for pleafure ; but they were fur- niftied with letters of compliment from Catherine princefs of Wales to her aunt and neice the two dowagers of Naples ; and they were inftrucled to fend home an exacl: defcription of the complexion, features, ftature, age, health, cuftoms, deport- ment, and difpoficion of the younger queen; toge- ther with a circumftantial account of the dower me enjoyed. Howfoever he might have relifhed theH(J1.n qualifications of her perfon, he dropped his matri- monial fcheme, when he underftood that although the fettlement of that princefs was very confiderable, Y 4 as 32§ HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A.G. 1505. as ertablifhed by the marriage contract, yet (he had been reduced to an uncertain penfion fince Ferdi- nand had fubdued the kingdom, The intelligence which Henry's agents lent from Caftile, was not much more agreeable. Ferdinand fliil continued in the pod of adminiftrator, which he hoped to maintain for life, partly by his influence with Phi- lip's counfellors, fome of whom he had gained over to his intereft -, and partly by threatning that, in cafe the archduke mould prove refradtory, he •would take another wife, and beget an heir to the kingdom of Arragcn : but, at the fame time, the nobles and people of Spain were better affected to Philip in right of his wife than to Ferdinand, who had loaded them with burthen fome impofmons. Henry's fecret envoys gave him to underfiand, that there was actually a project of marriage be- tween Ferdinand and madam de Foix, which would certainly take place, fhould Phiiip attempt to gfcoa. thwart his father-in law. They Jikewifa difcovered that the marriage of prince Charles of Auftria with Claudia of France would never be folemnized, as Lewis XII. had refolved to beftow that princeis up- on the duke of Angoulefme, his preemptive i'uc- ceilbr ; and that, if Philip and his queen mould rcficie in the Low Countries, Ferdinand would en- deavour to effect a match between the young'prince of Aultria, and Mary, fecond daughter or Henry king of England. Mean while Phiiip and Joan were proclaimed king and queen of Caitile at Brufiels; though they were prevented trom gom^ to take pbileflion of that kingdom by the war of Guelderland r.nd the pregnancy of the queen, who was in a little time cidiverrd of a princefs called Mary, afterwards qu.-en of Hungary. The war being happily ter- minated, and Joan in a condition to travel, Philip equipped 3 numerous fteec, and with his queeft embarked H E N R Y VII. 329 embarked on the tenth of January. In the chan- A-c- «5°6. nel they were overtaken by a violent ftorm that difperfed their fhips -, and the vefiel that carried dri Philip and his confort was driven into the harbour pf Wey mouth in Dorfetfhire. The country peo- pie, alarmed at the appearance of fuch a numerous navy, took to their arms. Sir Thomas Trenchard, advancing at the head of fome troops, no fooner learned that the king and queen of Caftile were landed, than he went to offer his refpefts to them in perfon, and begged they would do him the ho- nour to lodge at his houfe, until the king mould be informed of their arrival. Philip, perceiving that there was no pofiibility of their re-imbarking immediately, accepted this invitation with a good grace. Henry, being apprifed of their landing, lent the earl of Arundel to compliment them in his name ; to aiTure them that he would, with all pof- fible difpatch, have the pleafure of embracing them ; ar.d in the mean time that they might command in his dominions. Philip, in crder to Ihorten the vifit, fet out immediately for the court at Windfor, where he and his confort were received with all the marks of the moft cordial friendfhip : tho' Henry was refolved to derive fome advantage from the accident that brought them into his dominions. He propofed that as Philip had changed his condition, in becoming king of Caftile, the treaty of com- merce between England and the Low Countries Should be renewed. That prince comprehending perfectly well the delicate nature of his prefent htuation, did not think proper to make any cbjec tions to this propofal ; and the treaty was renewed with fome alteration in favour of the Englifli : among other things they fuppreiTed that article of the for- mer treaty by which Philip's fubjecls were permitted to fifh on the cbaft of England. Thefe alterations were fo difagreeable to the Flemings, that they termed w 330 H I S T O R Y OF E N G L A N D. A. c. 1506. termed this convention Intercurfus Mains, or, The *$.pub. Bad Treaty. This affair being finifhed, Henry propofed a marriage between himfelf and Philip's lifter Mar- garet, widow of the duke of Savoy ; and the king of Caftile, being well pleafed with the profpect of fuch an alliance, the marriage contract was im- mediately fettled i Philip engaging to pay three hundred thoufand crowns, in lieu of a dower to his filler, together with an annuity of three thoufand Henry pref- eight hundred and fifty. Henry, not yet fatisfied feshimto wjtn thefe concefiions, feemed altogether deter- i?f mined to detain his gueft until he mould deliver Up the earl of Suffolk, from whofe machinations he ftill dreaded fome trouble and difquiet. He therefore took an opportunity when he was alone with Philip, to fay with fome emotion, " Sir, *c you have been faved upon my coaft ; I hope *6 you will not fuffer me to be wrecked upon " yours." When the king of Caftile defired to know the meaning of that addrefs, " I mean (re- 45 plied Henry) that fame hair-brained, wild fel- *' low, my fubject, the earl of Suffolk, who is *' protected in your country, and begins to play «' the fool, when others are tired of the game." To this explanation Philip anfwered, " I thought «6 your felicity had raifed you above all fuch ap- « prehenfions ; but, fmce you are uneafy at his " refiding in Flanders, I will banilh him from my •* dominions." The Englifh monarch exprefling a defire of having him in his power, Philip told him in fome confufion, That he could not deliver him up with any regard to his own honour . and that fuch a ftep would be ftill lefs for the reputa- tion of Henry, as the world would imagine he had treated his gueft as a prifoner. " I will take that *' difgrace upon myfelf (faid the king) and fo your ^ honour will be faved." The other feeing he would HENRY VII. 33l would not be denied, compofed his countenance; A'C.«s<>*. faying, " Sir, you give Jaw to me, and I will die- *' tate to you in my turn ; Suffolk fhall be deli- " vered up ; but you will give me your honour " that his life fhall be fafe." Henry agreeing to Bacoa. this propofai, he wrote a letter to the earl of Suf- folk, alluring him that he had obtained his pardon ^ and the king confirming this aflertion by another meffage, that nobleman returned to his own coun- try, and was immediately committed clofe prifoner to the Tower. But the king had refolved that his royal guefts mould not quit his dominions until the earl's arrival ; and, in order to difguife the reftraint, he entertained them with feafting and paftimes : through which, however, Philip eafily perceived his intention, and therefore exprefled no defire of departing, until the earl was actually fecured. Then he was allowed to profecute his voyage, after hav- ing been detained three months in England, during which he was inftalled in the order of the garter, and conferred that of the golden fleece on Henry prince of Wales. On his arrival at Caftilf , he and his confort were fS^f. fo much carefled by the Spaniards, that Ferdinand tile, who* did not think proper to infift upon the adminiflra- hedics* tion, but retired to his own kingdom of Arra- gon. Philip dying in a few months after he took pofleflion, his queen was fo overwhelmed with grief, that me loft her reafon ; and the government of Caftile reverted to her father Ferdinand, who is faid to have ufed no endeavour for her cure, left he Ihould be fent back to Arragon. Mean while her infant fon, Charles, was left to the guardianlhip of Lewis king of France, who difcharged the office with uncommon fidelity, in appointing the lord of Chevres for his governor. But the difmterefted conduct of the French king was not of long dura- tion ; for he not only renounced his engagement with 332 HISTORY OF ENGLAND; A.C. »5o6. witn refpedl to his eldeft daughter Claude, who was betroathed to Charles, but likewife fpirited up the duke of Guelderland to recommence hoftilities in Flanders, left a league fhould be formed againft him by the emperor, the archduke, and Ferdi- nand. The Flemings intreated Maximilian to come into their country, and take the reigns of government into his own hands, during the mino- rity of his grandchild Charles. The emperor pro- g^mtf. mifed to comply with their requeft. In the mean time, he fent thither his daughter Margaret, widow of the duke of Savoy, in quality of gouvernante of the Low Countries : and that princefs con- cluded a provifional treaty of commercewith Henry, which was ratified at Calais. A.c.j5ey. In the fame place his ambafiadors treated of a Treaty of match between the archduke Charles, and Mary, EtTeef tn<; king's fecond daughter. This contract, figned Philip^ on the twenty -fecond of December, imported, and 'a/fa" I**' That the marriage fhould beconfummated as foon the daughter as Charks ihould have attained to his fourteenth eniy' year ; and that Mary's portion mould amount to two hundred and fifty thoufand crowns of gold : a fum which Henry could very well afford, confider- ing his immenfe riches, and the method he took to accumulate treafure. His two fpunges, Empfon and Dudley, ftill continued to fuck up the fub- Jftance of his people; and, in the courfe of this year, commenced another fevere profecution againlt Sir William Capel, on pretence of mifconduct du- ring his mayoralty. He was fined in the fum of two thoufand pounds ; but, being hardened by his . former fufferings, he refufed to pay the money, and was committed prifoner to the Tower, where he continued till Henry's death. Knefworth, who had likewife been mayor of London, and both his Iherifrs, were amerced in considerable fums on the lame pretences j Hawes, an alderman, died of vexation HENRY VII. vexation occafioned by fuch a charge; and Sir*' Lawrence Ailmer, with his two fheriffs, being con- demned to pay a fine of one thoufand pounds, he refufed to comply with the fentence, chooftng rather to go to prifon, where he remained until his place was fupplied by Empfon himfelf. Bacon. The king, in the midft of thefe acts of extortion, was feized with the gout, which gradually affected his lungs ; fo that he underwent fevere fits of the adhma, notwithftanding which he continued to tranfact his affairs with his ufual diligence, until his health was fo much impaired, that he began to think of his diflblution -, not that he neglected his worldly affairs, though he now began to convert his attention to the concerns of his foul. He flill •employed his endeavours for the accomplifhment of his daughter's marriage with the archduke ; and in the month of December it was folemnized atLon- A c f den, thejlord of Berghes acting as proxy for Charles. At the fame time this nobleman depofited in the hands of Henry a jewel, called The Rich Flower de Lys, by way of pledge for the fum of fifty thou- fand crowns lent to the archduke •, and the em- peror, as his tutor and grandfather, authorized the marriage, and the mortgage for the money, which he appropriated to his own ufe. As to the match A and the ceremony of coronation was performed on Their "ro- the twenty-fourth day of June, immediately after n the death of Margaret, countefs of Richmond and Derby, the king's grandmother. Henry, in the beginning of his reign, addicted ™^:vneg'' himfelf wholly to pleafures and paftime, and thofe mannerof of the moft expenfive nature-, fo that the old bimop livuis% of Winchefter was extremely chagrined at the dif- fipation of that treafure which Henry VII. had be- llowed fuch pains in amafiing He complained loudly on this fubjecl, and exclaimed in particular againft the earl of Surrey, for encouraging the king in fuch exceiTes : but, perceiving that al! his re- monftrances were difregarded at a court which was become the feat of feniuality, and that his influence declined apace, he endeavoured to fupplant Surrey, •who was his rival in the king's favour, by introdu- cing Thomas Wolfey, on whofe capacity and at- Woifeyin- tachment he could depend. This ecclefiaflic was tcr0°^ed at the fon of an obfcure butcher at Ipfwich, who al- ready began to diftinguifh himfelf by his uncom- mon talents and addreis ; and the bifhop of Win- chefter forefeeing, that he would foon infinuate him- felf into the king's good graces, procured for him the place of almoner to his majefty. In the courfe of this year, the treaty between England and the Scottidi king was renewed and confirmed, by the miniftry of the bifhop of Mur- ray, who had come to England, with compliments of congratulation from his brother-in-law, upon his acceffion to the throne. The emperor Maxi- milian fent an embafTy of the fame nature : and Henry appointed Chriftopher Bambridge archbifhop of ^ork, his envoy at the court of Rom;, to which Z 2 he 340 H I S T O R Y o F ENGLAND. A. c. 1509. he had repaired, to follicit the confirmation of his holinefs, upon his being tranflated to the fee of York. It was the intereft of the king of England to maintain an ambaffador at Rome for intelligence at this juncture, when pope Julius was employed in forming a powerful confederacy of the European princes. He had laid the defign of re-annexing to the holy fee all the dominions of which it had been difmembered •, and thefe being chiefly in the hands of the Venetians, he refolved to humble that info- lent republic. His project was relimed by the king of France, becaufe they had encroached upon his dutchy of Milan •, the emperor was very well dif- pofed to concur in any meafure by which he might regain fome footing in Italy, which had belonged to his predecefTors •, and Ferdinand was glad of an opportunity to retrieve, without repayment, fome places in the kingdom of Naples, which he had pawned to the Venetians for a fum of money. The duke of Ferrara wanted to recover Rovigo and the Polefin, which were pofTefTed by the Venetians ; and the Florentines were incenfed againft that re- public, for having fupported Pifa, which they Account of wanted to fubdue. Theie were the motives of the ^amous ^ague formed againft Venice, atCambray, where the congrefs was opened, on pretence of ac- commodating the difference between Charles of Auftria, and the duke of Guelderland. In order to deceive the fpies of Venice, they at firft concluded a treaty of perpetual peace between the pope, the emperor, and the kings of France and Spain : but, at the fame time, they ratified an offenfive and de- fenfive league againft the Venetians. In compliance with the conditions of this treaty, Lewis marched from Milan in the beginning of April, at the head of a numerous army ; while the pope's forces en- tered Romagna, thole of Arragon invaded Lom- bardy ; the duke of Ferrara fell upon the Polefin ; and HENRY VIII. 34i and the emperor remained at Trent, that he might Al Gl 15°s* be at hand to reap the fruits of their fuccefs. In the mean time, the Venetians took the field, under the conduct of the count de Petigliano, who enga- ging the French at Gieradadda, was intirely de- feated. Lewis, in fifteen days after this victory, made himfelf matter of Cremona, Pexhiera, Crema, Brefcia, and Bergama : Vicenza, Verona, Padua, together with Friuli, and all the towns of Iftria, fubmitted to the emperor. The pope's general re- duced Ravenna, Cervia, Faenza, and Rimini ; while the duke of Ferrara recovered Rovigo : fo that in the courfe of one fhort campairi, the Vene- tians faw all their extenfive territories reduced to the fingle city of Venice ; and the five places in the kingdom of Naples, which had been mortgaged to them by Ferdinand. Their difafter was fatal to the Pifans, who, being no longer fupported by that republic, were obliged to furrender to the Floren- tines, after a tedious fiege, during which they were reduced to the utmoft extremity. Lewis, having accomplimed his aim, returned to France, after he had detached a body of troops to join the em- peror, whofe army was far from being in a flourifh- ing condition. The French king's departure af- forded fome refpite to the Venetians : they fum- moned up all their fortitude, to repair the damages they had fuftamed: they brought a new army into the field, which kept Maximilian at bay, and took Padua by furprize: they appeafed the pope by fubmiffion ; and detached Ferdinand from the league, by promifing to reftore his five towns which they pofleffed. By this time, pope Julius began to be terribly difquieted by the union that feemed to fubfift between the king of France and the emperor ; he concluded, that they had engaged in a iecret treaty to fubdue and divide between them the whole country of Italy. * In order to pre~ Z 3 vent 342 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A.C. .509, vent the execution of this defign, he made peace with the Venetians, on condition, that they fhould renounce all pretenfions to the towns of Romagna, c^kckr whicn the holy fee had recovered. He refolved to dial. fecure Ferdinand in his intereft, by indulging him jft.de la wjt}1 tke inveftirure of Naples ; to excite and fo- Leghadc . cambrai. ment a quarrel between Maximilian and Lewis \ to bring an army of Swifs into the Milancfe \ and perfuade the young king of England to make a diverfion in Picardy. Henry afTembling a parliament on the twenty- p™7mentf &*& ^ °^ Januai7> ^e commons petitioned for the repeal or mitigation of feme late ftatutes, which had enabled the miniilers to opprefs the people •, and the ]&ing willingly complied with their requeft. Sky^ Then the parliament paffed an act of attainder, taLeland condemning Dudley and Empfon, without fpecify- executed. jng the particular crimes of which they were con- victed ; though Henry did not grant a warrant for their execution until the month of Auguft, v/hen the clamour of the people was fo loud againft them, that he thought proper to facrifice them to the public refentment, without further delay. During New tr«ty this iefiion, Lewis of France fent over ambafiadors rand kf™'1" to renew the treaty of Eilaples, the term of which of Amgon. had expired at the death of the leventh Henry : and a new peace was iblemnly concluded between the two kings, to be in force until one of them mould prove the lurvivor. About this period too, Henry received from the pope, the Golden Rofe, a confecrated prefenr, reputed of great eftimation, which v/as a prelude to the propofal he intended to make againft Lev/is. In all probability, Ferdinand acted in con- cert with his holinefs -, for, in the courfe cf this year, he concluded a new alliance with the king of England, in which it was ftipulated, That if either party mould be attacked, the other fhould affift him, even though the aggrefTor might be his ally. This HENRY VIII. 343 This condition was altogether in favour of Ferdi- A-c->5'°- nand, and feems to imply, that he had already pro- Rymer. jected fome fcheme again ft France : for, Henry could have no profpect of being attacked from .that quarter ; and therefore by fuch a treaty he betrayed his own intereft. But, indeed, he was fo immerfed in pleafures, that he paid very little re- gard to the political maxims of government. His whole time was engrofied by tournaments, mafque- rades, feftivals, and concerts of mufic, together with tennis and dice, at which games he loft confiderable fums of money to foreign adventurers, until he detected their frauds, and expelled them from court in the moft difgraceful manner. While his time pafied fo agreeably in thefe arnufements, he left the care of the adminiilration to his minifters, among whom Wolfey began al- ready to enjoy a great mare of his favour •, for he was promoted to the deanery of Lincoln, and pre- fented by the king with a fins country-houfe in the neighbourhood of London, which had belonged to Sir Thomas Empfon, lately beheaded. The pope, having privately engaged in a league with Ferdinand t JiTr • ° *? n • n r r P°i>e *'1t and the Venetians, induttriouQy fought an occalion French 'of quarrelling with the king of France, by giving klns« away a bifhopric in Provence, contrary to his en- gagement with Lewis. When this monarch com- plained of the infraction, the pope denied that he had ever entered into any fuch engagement ; and they gave one another the lie without ceremony. Julius, being thus furnifhed with a pretext for a rupture, found means, by the bifhop of Sion, to create a diffention between the crown of France and the Swifs, who, in a diet at Lucerne, declared for the pope, and refolved to fend an army into the Milanefe. His holinefs was fo fecret in his nego- tiations, that Lewis, far from fufpecting his in- rention was to form a ftrong league, which would Z 4 drive 44 HISTORY <>F ENGLAND. , c. ,5io. drive the French out cf Italy, believed he had no other defign but that of feizing Ferrara •, and or- dered Chaumont governor of Milan to fqccour the duke of Ferrara, in cafe he fhould be attacked. The fleet of Venice and the pope's army, however, having attempted to furprife Genoa, the king of France confidered the affair in a more ferious light, and directed Chaumont to keep a watchful eye over the conduct of Julius, whom that general accord- ingly had well nigh furprifed at Bologna. The pope complained loudly of this infult at all the courts in Europe, and in particular at London. He ex- communicated the French generals ; made another unfuccefsful attempt upon Genoa, in conjunction with the Venetian gallies ; fent for twelve thoufand Swifs, who began their march for the Milanefe, under the conduct of the bimop of Sion : but End- ing the pafles flrongly guarded, they returned t,Q their own country. Lewis formed two fucceflive treaties with Maximilian, by the laft cf which, they agreed to affemble a general council at Pifa, in. order to depofe Julius ; and they actually gained Over nine cardinals to their intereft. Mean while, the pope and Venetians being joined by the Spanifh army from Naples, his holinefs invefted Mirandola^ in perfon ; and the place being reduced, entered by the breach as a conqueror. When Lewis com- plained of Ferdinand's having joined that pontiff and the Venetians, he excufed himfelf by faying, that as king of Naples, he was a vaiTal of the Ro- man fee, and in that quality could not refufe to de- fend the pope's perfon and dominions ; but that, in ether refpects, he would not interefl himfelf in the pir.cciar- quarrel, but firmly adhere to the articles of the «•'!"• . league of Cambray. Aleaerai. »"». i TYII • r i • T r A'C- j-rj. -Hitherto, Henry had not interfered in the at- fairs of Italy, or indeed in any foreign difpute that might interrupt his pleafure, which was now greatly 4, augment^ HENRY VIII. 345 augmented by his queen's being delivered of afon, A>c> '51'' who died, however, in a few weeks, to the unfpeak- able mortification of his parents. Ferdinand, with a view to engage his fon-in-law infenfibly in their alliance againtt France, difiembled his real defign ; and, on pretence of equipping an armament againft the Moors of Africa, follicited a reinforcement of a thoufand Englifh archers. His requeft was im- mediately granted ; and Thomas Darcy being creat- ed a baron, was nominated to the command of this fmall detachment. The Venetians fent ambafla- A&. p^ dors to England, under colour of thanking Henry for having ufed his good offices towards their recon- ciliation with his holinefs : but their real defign was to engage him in the projected league. The pope created Bambridge archbilhop of York, a cardinal, and promoted Matthew Skinner bifhopof Sion to the fame dignity : in a word, the confede- rates-fpared no pains to gain over the minifters and agents of Henry, to perfuade him, that the king of France was become too formidable by the con- queft of Milan ; and might, if not feafonably checked, form more important fchemes to the pre- judice of his neighbours. At length he save ear to J, . n to .r°, . .fe , . - Henry lift- their remonltrances, and promued to join their af- ens to the fociation. He appointed commiffioners to mufter «mon- , 1 . . *. r . | . , ftrawces of and arm the militia or tne kingdom, on pretence thepopeand of putting the nation in a pofture of defence, in hisconfed=- cafe it mould be invaded ; and that he might avoid " a rupture with the king of Scotland, who he knew was attached to Lewis, he appointed envoys to regu- late all differences, which had happened fince the Jaft treaty. James, however, found a pretext, in fpite of all his precautions. Andrew Breton, a Scottim merchant, having obtained from his fove- reign a commifiion to make reprifals on the Portu- guefe, who had plundered and murdered his father or) the high feas, equipped two fliips of war, with which 346 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A. c. 1511. which he made prize of all the Portuguefe verTels o^rrrcis that traded through the Englifo channel. The kinSof5 ambafiador of Portugal repreienting this conduct Scotland, to Henry as an infult upon the Englim flag, he ordered two large fhips to be fitted out, and be- ftowed the command of them upon the two fons of the earl of Surrey,- who attacked the Scottifh cor- fair, and took his veffel, after an obflinate engage- Buchanan, rnenr, in which Breton loft his life. The king of rt> Scotland demanded reftitution of the prizes, as well as reparation for an outrage committed againft the articles of peace fubfifting between the two king-, doms. Henry refufed the fatisfaction he demand- ed, alledging, that pyrates and cor fairs were never comprehended in treaties } and James protefted againft this refufal, as an affront which he would refent the firft opportunity. Pwgrefsof During thefe tran factions, Lewis made fome ad- itiy.arm vances towards a pacification wtth the pope; but all his propofals being rejected, he ordered Chau- mont to carry on the war with vigour. That ge- neral, though inferior in number to the allies, com- manded a body of fuch veterans, that they were afraid to hazard an engagement : at length he marched tov/ards Modena, in order to befiege that city ; and the pope, rather than it mould fall into the hands of Lewis, ceded it to the emperor, who began about this time to act very coldly for the intereft of his ally. Neverthelefs, the army of the confederates being very hard preffed by Chaumont, Ferdinand, who ftill profefled neutrality, propofed a congrefs at Mantua, which produced no other effect than a delay, that was very prejudicial to the French intereft. After this ineffectual effort to- v/ards an accommodation, Maximilian, who was not yet altogether detached from Lewis, confented that the council at Pi fa mould be fummoned in his name, to meet on the firft day of September, and deliberate HENRY VIII. 347 deliberate upon meafares for the reformation of the A- c- X5"- church, in its head and members. Not that Lewis was altogether free of fufpicion : he was informed of a conference at Bologna between the pope and the bifhop of Gurch, the emperor's minifter -t and Ferdinand's great preparations filled him with jea- loufy and diftruft. Thus alarmed, he ordered Tri- vulci, who had fuccceded to the command of his army on the death of Chaumont, to acl: againft the enemy with all poffible diligence. He accordingly took Goncordia, and approached Bologna, from whence the pope retired to Ravenna, after having endeavoured in vain to perfuade his allies to hazard a battle. He had no fooner withdrawn himfelf, than an infurrection enfued in Bologna. The car~ dinal of Pavia, whom the pope had left governor of the place, abandoned his charge. The army of the allies, which had advanced to one of the gates, underftanding this commotion, fled with the utmoft precipitation, leaving their artillery, baggage, and ammunition, to the inhabitants ; and to complete the mortification of the pope, his favourite cardinal of Pavia, was afiaffinated by his nephew the duke d'Urbino, who accuied him of having loft Bologna by his cowardice. His holinefs, therefore, feeing Gu:cclar, his army difperfed, and all his defigns upon Ferrara aim. defeated, retired from Ravenna to Rome -, and on the road had the mortification, at feveral places to fee the placards for the council of Pifa, by which he himfelf was fummoned to appear in perfon. In this Aa. Pub. extremity, he expreiTed a dcfire of feeing the dif- ference between him and France accommodated ; and Lewis accepted of his propofals, provided they iliould be approved by the emperor : but, the Spa- nifh fleet no fooner arrived at Naples for his fervice, than he raifed his demands in fuch a manner, that Lewis plainly perceived his former propofals had been made folely with a view to gain time-, and forthwith 343 H I S T O R Y OF E N G L A N D. A. c. 1511. forthwith ordered Trivulci to fend fuccours to Bo- logna, which, with the princes of Bentivoglio, he took under his protection. Mean while, Julius, with a view to countermine the council of Pifa, ifiued a bull, convoking another in the church of the Lateran. When the afiembly of Pifa was ac- tually opened, he excommunicated that city, as well as Florence, to which it belonged ; and laid both places under an interdict. Maximilian (till feemed to hefitate between his alliance with France and the proffers of the pope and Venetians ; or rather he kept aloof at Infpruck, that he might take the advantage of the diftrefs of either party. Ferdinand on the other hand pretended, that his armament was defigned againft the Moors of Afric; but as foon as he had won over his fon-in-law Henry of England, he changed his pretext, and declared, his intention was to protect the church againft the violence of Lewis. He and Henry fent ambafTa- dors to that monarch, requiring him to defilt from his hcftilities againft the pope -, otherwife, as chri- (tian princes, they could not help defending the Henry and church, which was diftrcffed by his ambition. Lewis Ferdinand . . , , . i ' j i declare perceiving that their meaiures were already taken, thcmfeivcs WOuld not deign to iuftify his conduct-, but return- rroteclors of . _ , , r° r i i the holy fee ed luch a lofty anlwer as they wanted to receive. z?a;nft Immediately after this tranfaction, the pope, the king of Arragon, and the Venetians, concluded a league at Rome, leaving a place for the king of England, tho' his ambaflador cardinal Bambridge League of did not fign the treaty. Henry hoped to conclude Rome. a feparate alliance, which Ihould be more advan* tageous to England, than this league, which only relpedted the interefts of Italy, or rather the conve- nience of the pope •, for, the profeffed aim of it was to retrieve the city of Bologna, and all the other territories which had been wreftedfrom the holy fee by any prince or perfon whatfoever, In the midit HENRY VIII. 349 of thefe negotiations, the council of Pifa held two A.C. ,5Ir. •1 - 11 LTT 11 Council ot feflions in that city, although Julius had excom- pifa. municated all the cardinals and prelates of which it was compofed, as well as all the princes by whom it was countenanced ; but, an infurrection of the populace difturbing their deliberations, they transferred the council to Milan, where they thought they might take their meafures with more fafety. Among the adherents of Lewis was John d'Albret king of Navarre, who no fooner declared for the council of Pifa, than Ferdinand formed the defigrt of depriving him of his kingdom on this pretence, and refolved to ufe Henry of England as the inftru- ment, for putting this defign into execution. He gave them to underftand, that this was a favour- able opportunity for recovering Guienne, which had belonged to his predeceflbrs, as the Italian league would find fuch employment for Lewis, that he fhould not be in a condition to defend his owa country. That as Guienne was fo remote from England, he (Ferdinand) from his affection to Henry, would fupply him with troops, tranfports, artillery, and ammunition, without defiring any advantage for himfelf, but the pleafure of contri- buting to the fuccefs of his fon-in-law. This was the bait which allured Henry to enter heartily into the league with the pope, the king of Arragon, and the Venetians ; as well as to violate the peace which he had fofolemnly renewed with France, and which was fo much for the intereH of England. Far from interfering in the affairs of Italy, he ought to have encouraged Lewis in his defigns upon that country, the profecution of which would have ef- fectually fecured his kingdom from any danger of a French invafion. In about fix weeks after the ratification of the league of Rome, Henry and Ferdinand concluded another at London, in the preamble to which they expatiated 350 H IS TO R Y OF ENGLAND. A.C. 1511. expatiated upon the ambition and impiety of the French king, who had waged war againft: his ho- linefs •, made himfclf mafter of Bologna-, endea- voured to furprife the perfon of the pope, an old, infirm valetudinary ; routed the army of the holy fee ; and refufed to abftain from fuch cruel ho- ftilities, when advifed by the kings of Arragon and England, to reconcile himfelf with the fpiritual fa- Trfaty at then of Chrittcrtdom. In confequence of this ob- London be-ftjnacy, they had for the praife and glory of God 0fC Almighty, our lord Jefus Chrift, and the whole and triumphant hoft of Heaven ; for the defence, ex- altation, and increafe of the catholic faith, the chriftian religion, and the holy Roman church, un- juftly opprefled, engaged in a iblemn league and al - iiance, importing, That the two kings mould under- take the defence and protection of the holy Roman fee againft all aggreffors : That Ferdinand mould take arms for that purpofe in Italy : and, That with the fame view of protecting the holy fee, they Ihould diftrefs the king of France, by carrying the war into Guienne, which mould be conquered for the king of England, to whom it of right belonged. For the execution of this article, Henry engaged to fend thither a body of fix thoufand infantry, which mould not be recalled without the confent of Ferdinand, who undertook to furnifli five hundred men at arms, fifteen hundred light horfe, and four thoufand infantry, on the fame condition. Befides, hepromifed to furnim the Englim troops with pro- vifion, and munitions of war at a moderate price; and the two kings agreed to equip a confiderable fleet for the purpofes of this expedition. It was ftipulated, That Ferdinand fhould provide forty veflels, at a reafonable price, for tranfporting the Englim troops to Guienne : That the places taken in that country, or elfewhere, mould be delivered to him of the two kings who mould appear to have the HENRY Vllfc 551 the prior claim to fuch acquifitions : That the ar- A. G. isu, my belonging to one of the kings, being in Gui - ennej or elfewhere, they mould both aft with all their power for the defence of cither's dominions, provided they mould require affiftance : That they mould adhere to the council of the Lateran, and oppofe that of Pifa, with all its favourers and ad- herents : That neither king mould make peace or truce without the other's confent : That this treaty mould not cancel thofe which had been formerly concluded : and, That it mould be ratified in four Rym&. months by the contracting parties. Immediately after the conclufion of this treaty, A c T> which was communicated to Lewis by the pope's agent at London, whom he had bribed for intelli- gence, Henry called a parliament, which meeting on the fourth day of February, he made them ac- quainted with his defign againft France, folemnly protefting, that his fole aim was to defend the pope, and aboliih the fchifmatic council, which had been transferred from Pifa to Milan. A war with France was never unwelcome to the Englifh people. The commons voted a confiderablefubfidy-, and feveral laws were enacted, relating to the conduct of the expedition. At lad the feflkm broke up, after having removed the attainder of SirEdmund Dud- ley, and reftored his fon John to the rank, eftate, and honours of his family. Then Henry fent Sil- vefter bifhop of Worcefter, and Sir Robert Wing- field, as his ambafiadors to the council of the Late- ran, with full power to confent, in his name, to every decree that fhould be made for the reformation of the church, in its head and members. This ftep being taken, he conferred the command of his fleet upon Edward Howard, eldeft fon of the earl of Surrey; and that of the army deftined to act on more, on Thomas Grey marquis of Dorfet. The troops intend- ed for the Guienne expedition, embarking in the month 352 HISTORY OF ENGLAND, A. c. 151*. month of May, arrived in the province of Guipufcoa Troops lent , 11-- c T i i 11 into Spain about the beginning of June, where they landed command6 of w^ tne general, and met with a very cordial re- the ma"quis ccption from the commiffioners of Ferdinand. Ad- ofDorfct. mjra| Howard, who had conveyed them thither, in his return made a defcent on the coaft of Britta- ny, from whence he carried off aconfiderable booty. menTb?-6' ^e afterwards received a reinforcement, which tween the Henry fent upon hearing that the French king had Fwnch1. and fitted out a powerful navy ; and the enemy failing from Breft, both fleets met in the Channel, where a defperate engagement enfued. In the courfe of the battle, the Regent, a large (hip, commanded by Sir Thomas Knevit, grappled with the Cor- deliere, one of the ftrongeft Ihips of France, the captain of which finding himfelf overpowered, fee fire to the magazine, and blew up both veflfels ; fo that every perfon on board of them perifhed, to the amount of fixteen hundred chofen men. This dreadful fcene interrupted the combat, and affected both fides in fuch a manner, that they had no inclination to renew the engagemenr. The French retired to Breft, and the Englim remained mafters of the channel. Ferdinand, notwithstanding the terms of his league with Henry, had no other intention but that of conquering Navarre ; and therefore his general, the duke of Alva, inftead of joining the marquis of Dorfet, who had encamped at Fonta- rabia, with a view to inveft Bayonne, remained at Logrogno with his forces, alledging that it would be dangerous to undertake the fiege of Bayonne, while the king of Navarre continued attached to the intereft of Lewis ; becaufe while they Ihould be employed at the fiege he might introduce the French into his dominions ; and encamping between the mountains and the fea, cut off their convoys, without hazarding a battle. He there- fore HENRY VIII.1 fore propofed that they mould try to bring over A-c- that prince to their meafures, before they fhould (embark in fuch an important enterprize. The marquis, perfuaded by this remonftrance, difpatched an Englim officer, to defire the king of Navarre to join the allies ^ and Ferdinand lent him a merTage to the fame purpofe. He declared he would ob- ferve an exact neutrality ; but they preffing him either to join them, or deliver four places for their fecurity, he rejected their propofals, without hefi- tation. Mean while a French army, commanded by the duke of Longueville, approaching the fron- tiers of Bearne, the marquis complained, that the time loft in the negotiation with the king of Na- varre had given the French an opportunity to come and defend their frontiers ; and he infilled upon know- ing whether or not Ferdinand would attack Guienne, according to the treaty of London. The king of Arragon replied, that it would be imprudent in him to let his army march to Fontarabia, and be- .fiege Bayonne, while his own dominions mould be left expofsd to invafion from the enemy ; that it would be more for theif advantage to march thro* Navarre, and fecure three or four places of that kingdom, by way of prevention. He, for th;s reafon, exprefled a cklire that the Englifh troops would join the duke of Alva for that purpofe ; and he did not doubt that the king of Navarre would engage in the league, as foon as he fhould find himfelf hard preffed, fo as to juftify his conduct, fhould he be queftioned by Lewis -, in which cafe the fiege of Bayonne would be undertaken with a much better profpect of fuccefs. The Englifh ge- neral gave him to underftand, that he had no in- ftructions to act againft the king of Navarre ; and that he could not refolve to make fuch a long cir- cuit as would be necelTary for joining the duke of Alva. Ferdinand, not fatisfied with this anfwer, ftill Nc 48. A a preffsd HISTORY 0F ENGLAND; him to join his army ; and in the mean time ordered his general to inveft Pampeluna, the capi- tal of Navarre, which in a little time furrendered upon capitulation ; while the king of that country retired to France, and entered into a treaty with Lewis for their mutual defence. After the reduc- tion of Pampeluna, Ferdinand, inftead of joining the Englifh forces, according to his promife, or- dered the duke of Alva to continue his conquefts ; while the troops under the marquis of Dorfet, ferved as an army of obfervation, and intimidated the French from entering Navarre ; fo that the Spa- nifli general was enabled to fubdue the greateft part of that kingdom, without interruption. The king of Arragon, in the mean time, difpatched a mef- ienger to England, to cajole Henry with an unfair account of his proceedings ; and, as the king of England had received no intelligence to the con- trary, from the marquis of Dorfet, he, at the re- queft or" Ferdinand, ordered that general to co-ope- rate with the Spanifh army. Before the marquis received this order, the duke of Alva reduced St. Jean de pied de port -, and then the king of Arra- gon offered, that if the marquis of Dorfet would join his forces, they ihould march direclly into (iuienne, and befiege Bayonne ; but this propofal was rejected^ as an impracticable fcheme, by the marquis, who knew that the French army was in- trenched between Bayonne and Salvatierra ; fo that he could not pafs the river Bidaffoa, without run- ning the rilk of lofing his forces •, and, Bayonne was by this time fo well provided, that it could not be befieged with any hope of fuccefs. Ferdinand was well acquainted with thefe cir- cumitances, and the fole defign of his propofal was to obtain a pretence for charging upon the marquis - .^ w'no}e D]ame of leaving Guienne uninvaded. That nobleman, ineenied at his difing&nuous con- HENRY VIII. 355 duct, and feeing his army daily diminifh by ficknefs A- c^'s1*- and dearth of provifion, demanded tranfports for conveying them to their own country. Thefe were granted, with a feeming reluctance, by Ferdinand, turn°foEng, who, though he protefted againft their departure, land< was very little concerned at their retreat, becaufe he had already made himielf matter of the whole kingdom of Navarre. At this period the marquis of Dorfet falling fick, was fucceeded in command by lord Thomas Howard ; and juft as the troops were ready to embark, the herald arrived v/ith an order to the general to obey king Ferdinand in all his directions. This news produced a mutiny in Meserai, the army, which could not be reftrained from em- barking ; and, when they were returned to their own country, the king was at firft incenfed againft the general : but his indignation fubfided when he was informed of all the tranfactions of the cam* paign, by which he plainly perceived that he had been egregioufly duped by his father- in-Jaw. He found it convenient, however, to diflemble and temporife, left Ferdinand fhould leave him in the lurch, by making a feparate accommodation with Lewis. Before the end of the yeai-j the king of Arragon was in full poiTeffion of Navarre, wjiich he had no other pretext for retaining, but the pope's bull, denouncing excommunication againft John d'Albret, king of Navarre-, and beftowing his do- minions upon the prince by whom they fhould be firft conquered. Li Herbert* During thefe tranfactions in Navarre, the army of the allies in Italy, commanded by the viceroy of Naples, undertook the fiege of Bologna ; but they were obliged to lay afide that enterprize at the approach of Gafton de Foix, duke de Nemours, who afterwards routed them at Ravenna, but was himfelf killed in the purfuit : then all the towns ef Romagna furrendered voluntarily to the cardinal A a 2 St, 356 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A. c, tciz. st Severin, who attended the French army as legate from the council of Pifa, tranflated to Milan. The cardinals at Rome were fo terrified at theie events, that they went in a body, and fupplicated Julius to make peace with France ; but he had refources of which they were ignorant. The Swifs, at the inftigation of the cardinal of Sion, refolved to invade the dutchy of Milan •, and la PalifTe, the French general, being apprized of their prepara- tions, haltened to the defence of that country, leaving St. Severin with a fmall body of troops in the Romagna; fo that Rome was freed of its ap- prehenfions, and Julius opened the council of the Lateran. Immediately afttr the retreat of laPalifie, the towns cf Romagna fubmirted to the pope. Lewis was fain to fend an army into Beam, to hinder the Englifh and Spaniards from invading Guienne -, the emperor concluded a truce with the Venetians, and withdrew his troops from the army of France left to defend the Milanefe ; fo that car- dinal St. Severin was recalled for the fuccour of that dutchy. Sixteen thoufand Swifs began their march for Italy by die way of Trent, through which they were allowed a free paffage by Maxi- milian, who excufed himfelf to Lewis, by faying, that his alliance with the Cantons would not allow him to refufe them a pafTage through his dominions. Being joined by the Venetians at Verona, they ap- proached Milan. PaluTe, being fo weakened that he could not pretend to oppofe their progrefs, re- folved to repais the mountains, and retire to France; and he was immediately followed by the fathers of the council, which, by a hafty decree, was tranf- ferred from Milan to Lyon. All the places of the Milanefe immediately furrendered to the Sv/ifs and Venetians, except Parma, Placentia, and Reggio. Alexander Bentivoglio. quitted Bologna, which was abandoned to the pope's difcretion ; fo that by a HENRY VIII. 357 a very furprizing revolution, that pontiff reco- A- C-I5«*. vered Ravenna, Bologna, the whole country of Romagna ; and the French were driven from Italy. On this occafion the allies held a congrefs at Man- The French tua, where they agreed that Maximilian Sforza driven frcia fhould be re-eftablifhed in Milan, and the houfe of tay* Medicis at Florence. The inhabitants of this laft city received the individuals of that family as pri- vate citizens ; but the cardinal of Medicis, en- tering the place while the army of the confede- rates was at the gates, introduced a good number of officers and foldiers, by which means he excited an infurrection, that rendered him mafter of the place -, and the fovereignty of his houfe was re- Gu;cclar- eftablimed. dini. A fecond aflembly was held at Rome, at the defire of the pope, who wanted to perfuade his al- lies to act againft the duke of Ferrara, and to effect a peace between the emperor and the Venetians, fo as that Maximilian mould abandon the council at Lyon. The duke of Ferrara was protected by the king of Arragon, and the Venetians refufed to fupply the pope with troops and money to fubdue that dutchy : as to the peace between the empsror and the republic, it was rendered impracticable by the intolerable terms which Maximilian pretended to impofe. At length, Julius, refolving at all ha- League be- z:ards to diflblve the council of Pifa, and hinder ^^"Jjj* Lewis from re-entering Italy, engaged with the the emperor emperor in a league offenfive and defenfive, againft Venice. Maximilian confented to the pope's keep- ing Parma, Placentia, and Reggio, faving ftill the rights of the empire; to renounce the council of Pifa, and abandon the duke of Ferrara, and the Bentivoglios. Julius engaged to afllft the em- peror with all his power ; to launch his thunder againft the Venetians, and declare them excluded from the league of Rome. This treaty being ra- A a 3 tilled, HISTORY or ENGLAND: C js**'tified, Maximilian renounced the afiembly of Pifa» and Sforza was put in pofieffion of the dutchy o£ Milan, according to the refolution taken by thq allies at Mantua. Henry king of England, notwithstanding his late experience of Ferdinand's double-dealing, allowecj himfelf to be amufed again by that prince and his allies. They gave him to under ftand, that having nothing to fear from Italy, they would now unite their forces, in order to invade France; fo that he could not fail to recover Guienne and Normandy. He forthwith fent ambaffadors to Bruffels, to con- clude a, league againft Lewis, with the pope, the emperor, the king of Arragon, and Charles of t. Pubi Auftria, fovereign of the Low Countries. Then he affembled a parliament, to demand a fubfidy, •which was chearfully granted ; and, during this fefiion, he received a bull from the pope, granting a plenary indulgence to all his fubjecls who fhould g affift him in this war, with their perfons or mon?y. a Henry would willingly have lived in peace with his treaty, of brother- in law, James king of Scotland; but that dcfeJiive"d prince, partly from the maxims of policy, and vrith Lewis partly from his refentment of Henry's refufmg to af France. g-ye '^m fatjsfa(^.jon jn t^e affair of Barton, was altogether biaffed in favour of Lewis. He fitted out a fleet of mips, under the command of An- drew Barton, brother to the ccrfair of that name ; and this officer took a great number of Englilh veflels. As foon as Henry declared war againft France, James engaged in a league with Lewis, and began to aflembie an army for making an ir- ruption into England, after the forces of that king- dom fhould have embarked in the expedition to the continent. Henry, alarmed at the Scottilh ar- mament, fent two ambafladors to expoftulate with James ; who faid, that being allied to both crowns, his intention was to obierve an exact neutrality : but HENRY VIII, 359 but the king of England, being afterwards inform- A*c- 's1** ed of his league with Lewis, appointed the earl of Surrey warden of the northern provinces, with power to raife an army, and act againft Scotland, in cafe of necefiity. Ld- Heriwt. While affairs remained in this fituation, pope Julius II. died, and was fucceeded in the papacy by cardinal John de Medicis, who afiumed the name of Leo X. and began his pontificate in the thirty- feventh year of his age. He was not fo fiery and infolent as his predecefibr, but pofTefled a great fund of art and addrefs ; and was already well ex- perienced in the political tranfaclions of Europe, as he had been employed by Julius in the moft im- portant negotiations. He accordingly prolecuted the plan which that pontiff had projected. He was doubly interefted to keep the French out of Italy, as pope and a prince of the houfe of Medi- cis ; and he was bent upon the ruin of the council of Pifa, which he could not effect, without exciting wars againft Lewis, which fhould compel him to make peace with the church. Ferdinand's aim was to employ the French king at a diftance from Na- varre, Rouffillon, and Naples ; and the emperor wiflied that France might be difabled from affifting the Venetians : but, as none of thefe powers were inclined to carry the war into the dominions of Lev/is, their bufinefs was to find feme other power, who fhould make this diverfion : and, for that pur- pofe, they caft their eyes upon Henry king of Eng- land, who had plenty of money and warlike iub- jects ; and was fired with the ambition of diftingnifh- ing himfelf by fome achievement of importance. All the allies, therefore, feparately encouraged him A. c. 1^13. to undertake the enter prife againft France, promif- ing to ad vigoroufly for his intereft ; and a new league was formed at Mechlin, on the following conditions ; That, in thirty days afcer the ratifica- A a 4 tion 360 HIS TORY or EN GLAND. A. c. 15'3-tion of this treaty, each of the confederates fhould declare v/ar againft France, and invade her domini- ons from different quarters : That the pope fliould iffue the cenfures of the church againft all their opponents ; and that, in order to defray the ex- pence of the war, Henry fhould pay one hundred thoufand crowns to the emperor. Never was there lefs fincerity in any negotiation. Of all the con- federates Henry alone intended to fulfil his engage- ments. The pope never ratified the treaty ; Fer- dinaod difavowed his ambafTador, by whom it had been confirmed •, and the emperor received Henry's money, without any defign of obferving the other articles. The French In the mean time the Venetians concluded a ano?h« S" league with Lewis, who immediately fent an army fort in Italy, into Italy, under the command of La Tremouille ; gedtoaban- at whofe arrival on the confines of the Milanefe, don his Sforza abandoned his capital, and took refuge a- copqgefti. mong tfa Swifs ; who, to the number of fix or feven thoufand, had taken poft at Como and No- vara, where they expected a reinforcement of their countrymen. The French general proceeded with- out interruption in his conquefts in that clutchy ; while Alviano, who commanded the Venetian troops, made himfelf matter of Pefchiera, Brefcia, Valeg- gio, and Cremona. At the fame time the faction of France prevailed at Genoa, which was again fubjected to the dominion of Lewis; who did not, however, long enjoy his good fortune. La Tremou- ille, in hope of carrying Novara by afTault, at- tacked the place with incredible fury j but was repulfed, with confiderable lois, by the valour of the Swifs, who, animated with their fuccefs, quit- ted their intrenchments, and charged the French in their turn, with fuch impetuofity, that Tremouille was intirely routed, and obliged to repafs the mountains with the. utmoit precipitation -, fo that Sforzg HENRY VIII. s6j Sforza repoffefied himfelf of Milan, and the French A'c-isi 3- party was expelled from Genoa. Nor was the Venetian general more fortunate : he forthwith re- tired into the territories of the republic, where he undertook the fiege of Verona •, but Raymond de Cardonna, the Spanim general, not only obliged him to raife the fiege, but purfued him from place to place, until he brought him to an engagement, in which he was totally defeated > a difaiter which terrified the Venetians to fuch a degree, that they were fain to refer their caufe to the determination of the pope, though he had declared againft them, and fcnt a reinforcement of troops to emperor. dini While the French and Venetians experienced thefe viciffitudes of fortune in Italy, the king of England employed all his attention in preparing a fleet and army for his expedition into France. By this time* ThomasWolfeyhad been created aprivycounfellor; and, by his infmuating addrefs, became a favourite with Henry, as well as the companion of all his plea- fures. Not that his talents were limited to the arts of a courtier ; he made it his bufinefs to ac* quire a perfect inught into ftate-affairs. He pointed out the impolitic Heps which the king had taken fince his acceffion to the throne. He difcovered and demonftrated the craft and felfimnefs of his allies, who had taken fuch advantage of the king's youth and inexperience, and convinced him of the necefllty of choofing an able minifter, for the ma- nagement of his moil difficult affairs at home and abroad. He himfelf became that very minifter, and the king repofed the utmoft confidence in his at- tachment and abilities. The favour of his fove- reign rendered him proud, infolent, and ungrate- ful ; and he foon incurred the hatred of the whole nation; though, as this popular odium extended, his credit and influence with Hcnry feemed to in- 4 creafe, HISTORY OF ENGLAND. »5»3» creafe, until the moft powerful princes of Europe courted his friendship and good offices. HoftilU ties between France and England being already commenced by fea, admiral Howard fet fail with two and thirty (hips of war, in order to attack the French fleet, which lay at anchor in Breft, waiting a reinforcement of fix gallies under the command of Pregent, from Marfeilles. Howard, under- ftanding that this officer was arrived at Conqueft, fleered thither, and attacked him with great vigour, His own (hip grappling with the galley command- ed by Pregent, he leaped on board of the enemy with a fe N followers -, but, the French commander difcngaging himfelf, Howard was left in the gal- *ey' ancl ^ain m c^e con^u^i°n °f tne fight. The n Englifh, difcoura^ed by the death of their admiral, difcontinued the battle, and returned to England, French where Henry beftowed the command upon Thomas flset. Howard, brother of the deceafed. The French navy, being reinforced by the gallies, and elevated with their fuccefs, fet fail for the coaft of England, ta. Herbert. anc* madc a defcent in Suffex, from whence they ' carried off a confiderable booty. Henry, having finifhed his preparations, fum- moned his allies to fulfil their feveral engagements, according to the treaty of Mechlin. The pope had no intention to fend an army into Provence ; the emperor was in no condition to enter Burgundy. The king of Arragon had privately concluded a truce for one year with Lewis, and even compre- hended the king of England, without his know- ledge. Henry, being informed of this tranfaction* teUic was fo incenfed, that he fent an ambalTador to re- proach his father-in-law for fuch deceitful conduct, and fummon him to execute the treaty of Mechlin, which his envoy had folemnly ratified in his name at London. Ferdinand now alledged that this en- voy had exceeded his inftructions -, that he had been HENRY VIII. 363 jbeen conftrained by the neceftlty of his affairs to A-C.I^ conclude the truce with Lewis ; but he promifed to exert himfelf vigoroufly after it mould be ex- pired, and advifed his fon-in-law to accede to the fu/penfion : in which cafe they would afterwards unite their forces, and act together againft the common enemy. Henry would no longer depend upon his promifes ; and now, for the firft time, di (cove red the infmcerityof his allies, and found Jiimfclf fubjected to the expence of a war againft France, which he expected would have been at- tacked at the fame time from four different quar- ters. About this time, he received a letter of ex- cufe from the emperor, giving him to underftand, that he could not poffibly invade Burgundy till next year ; but, in the mean time, he would ferve in perfon as a volunteer in the army of England. Notwithftanding thefe difappointments, the king was fo animated with ambition, and the thirft of glory, that he refolved to maintain the war at his own hazard : though he was, at this juncture, inflamed with a paflion of a much more fordid nature. He ordered the earl of Suffolk, who was prifoner Earl ofSuf. in the Tower, to be beheaded without any form of folk be- {rial ; though the late king had pofitively promifed lc' to Philip of Caftile, to fpare the life of that unfor- tunate nobleman, whole death was now owing to Henry's fear of the houfe of York, or to his re- venge againft the earl's brother Richard de la Pole, who ferved in the French army. Two bodies of Ld.Herteit, troops were tranfported to Calais in the month of June, under the command of the earl of Shrewf- bury, and the lord Herbert ; and thefe were or- dered to undertake the fiege of Terouenne. They were foon followed by Henry himfelf, who, having appointed queen Catherine regent of the realm, embarked for Calais, accompanied by his two fa- vourites* 364 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A.C. 15 '3- vourites, Wolfey, prime minifter, and Charles rumen Brandon, lately created vifcount de Lifle, with a SUjfti confiderable number of other noblemen. While Calais, and the troops of England carried on the fiege of Te- iteachat rouenne, Henry remained at Calais with a body of Terouennf. nine thoufand men, ready to march, in cafe of ne- ceffity. At length he received intelligence, that the duke of Longueville was on his march to the relief of the place. Then he fet out from Calais for the camp of the befiegers -, and, on the ninth day of Auguft, had an interview between Aire and Terouenne, with the emperor, who, in three days after this conference, joined the Englifh army, as a volunteer ; and received an appointment of an Mezersi. hundred crowns a- day, as Henry's foldier. When the duke of Longueville approached Terouenne, the king of England pafled the Lys, on purpofe to give him battle, and an engagement immediately enfued, though it was not of long continuance ; for, the French were feized with a panic, and fled in the utmoft confufion. Their general was taken prifoner, together with the chevalier Bayard, La Fayette, BulTy d'Amboife, and fome other officers of diftinction ; and this affair, which happened at Guinegafte, was denominated, the Battle of the Spurs, becaufe the enemy had made more ufe of fpurs than of any warlike weapon. Before the en- gagement, a body of French troops had attempted to throw a convoy into Terouenne, but they were repulfed by the lord Herbert, who guarded the trenches ; and the befieged furrendering the town immediately after the battle, the king, accompanied w.Kerbcr:. by the emperor, entered the place in triumph. One would imagine Henry had been born to be the dupe of his allies. Maximilian, who had ferved as a volunteer only at this fiege, perfuaded the |<.ing to deliver the town into his hands ; and he ordered the wa.lls to be razed to the foundation, HENRY VIII. 3% that the dominions of his grandfon Charles of Au-A>c> *5>j- ftria, might no longer be expofed to infults from the garrifon of this fortrefs. It was likewife at the infti~Reduces gation of Maximilian, that Henry afterwards be- fieged Tournay, though before the place was in- vefted, the emperor quitted the army in difguft, the reafon of which has efcaped the notice of hif- torians. The king of England, after having vi- fited Margaret the governante of the Low Coun- tries, at Lifle, marched dire&ly to Tournay, which capitulated in feven or eight days, on condition that the inhabitants fhould enjoy their privileges, and for ten years pay a fmall annual tribute to the conquerer. Inftead of razing the fortifications, he Aa> Pofc fecured the place with a good garrifon, commanded by Sir Edward Poynings, though it lay at a greater diftance from Calais than Terouenne, which he had demolimed : but he was on this occafion influenced by the counfel of Wolfey, who had caft his eyes on the bifhopric of Tournay, of which he was after- wards created adminiftratior, on pretence, that the bifhop had refufed to take the oath of allegiance to the king of England. Immediately after the re- duction of Tournay, the prince-fs Margaret, and her nephew the archduke Charles, went thither to congratulate him upon his conqueft, and were for fifteen days regaled with tilts and tournaments, courfes, balls, mafquerades, and other diverfions ; though, in the midft of all that pailime, the mini- flers of the two courts broached a treaty, which wasand con. in the fequel brought to perfection; and ratified cludesanew at Lifle on the following conditions : That Henry, Emui™. notwithftandtng his convention with the emperor, ihould be at liberty to return with his army into Eng- land: That during the winter Maximilian fhould maintain in the Artois, four thoufand horfe, and fix R ^ thoufand infantry, for the defence of Tournay, and the archduke's dominions; and, for the maintenance of thefe troops receive from Henry the fum of two hun- dred 366 H 1 S T O R Y o F E N G L A N D. A. 0.1513. dred thoufand crowns, at different terms : That, be-" fore the month of June in the following year, the king of England mould invade Guienne, Normandy, or Picardy, and the emperor fall upon fome other province of France : and, That before the fifteenth day of May, the emperor, the dutchefs Margaret, the archduke Charles, the king of England, queen Catharine, and the princefs Mary, mould meet at Calais, to celebrate the marriage of the archduke with the princefs Mary, according to the conven- tion between the late king and Maximilian. After this tranfaction, Henry fet out from Lifle on the feventeenth day of O&ober, and arrived on the twenty-fourth, at his own palace of Richmond, ex- tremely well pleafed with the fuccefs of the cam- paign. The victory of Guinegafte, and the reduction of Terouenne and Tournay, were not the only triumphs t^ePe"remes ^e enJ°ye<^ at tnis Jun&ure- 1° his abfence, James rfSdan? IV. of Scotland, having aflembled an army, to and Henry, jna^g a diverfion in favour of Lewis, fent a letter by an herald to Henry while he was engaged in the fiege of Terouenne, containing an account of the injuries he pretended to have fuffered from the Eng- lim king ; and a declaration of war, in cafe he fhould not immediately defift from the hoftilities he had commenced againft France. To that intima- tion Henry fent an anfwer, importing, That James did no more than imitate the infincerity and deceit of his anceftors, in violating the peace on frivolous pretexts : that he durft not openly efpoufe the quarrel of Lewis, until the king of England had tranfported his army to the continent : but that Henry being well acquainted with his character Had put his kingdom in fuch a pofture of defence, as would baffle all the endeavours of fuch a fchif- matic, who was already excommunicated by the pope, and the council of the Lateran. He faid, fee hoped he fhould foon be in a condition to retort his HENRY Vllf. 3 his ill offices ; and, in the mean time, would take A*c* 'S^ care to deprive him and all his pofterity of the hope of ever inheriting that kingdom to which he was fuch an inveterate enemy. He exhorted him to re- member the fate of the king of Navarre, who in. afiifting France had been ftripped of his own domi- nions. He denied that he had ever done him the leaft injury j he afiured him he Ihould never ac- knowledge the king of Scotland as a judge or um- pire in his conteft with Lewis •, and that he would let flip no opportunity of chaftifing him for his breach of faith. James, without waiting for this anfwer, enter- james in- ed Northumberland in the month of Auguft, at ™^s En the head of a numerous army, and reduced N orham, with feveral other places. This expedition was haftened by the defeat of the earl of Hume, who had been fent with fix thoufand men, to make an incurfion into England ; and in his return fell into an ambufli laid by Sir William Bulmer, who routed him at the pafs of Broom-houfe. This difgrace exafperated James, and induced him to precipitate his invafion, contrary to the advice of his nobles, and the inclination of his queen, who exerted all her influence indiffuadinghim from the enterprize. He remained, however, deaf to all thofe remon- ftrances -, and fuffered himfelf to be hurried to his own ruin by a falfe punctilio, aided by the infi- nuation of De la Mothe the French ambafiador.The earl of Surrey was no fooner informed of his mo- tions, than he appointed Newcaftle as the place of rendezvous for the forces of the northern counties -, and on the thirtieth day of Auguft, he was there joined by" the lord Dacres, Sir William Bulmer, Sir Marmaduke Conftable, and many other perfons of diftindtion. James, fince the reduction of Nor- harfi, had loft fome precious time in idle dalliance with the daughter of a northern baron, owner of 6 the 568 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A. c. 1513. tne caftie Of porc} . aruj the Englifh general ed to go in queft of him without delay. On the third day of September he marched to Alnewir, where he was reinforced by his own fon the lord admiral, at the head of five thoufand chofen men -, fo that the army now amounted to fix and twenty thoufand men eager for battle. James had taken pofTefTion of a ftrong camp on a mountain called Flodden-hill, in the neighbourhood of Ford, where he indulged himfelf in his amorous commerce, fo as to give umbrage to the beft and wifeft of his fubjedts. Great part of his army deferted to their own country, with the plunder they had gained. The earl of Angus returned to Scotland indifguft; and the earl of Hume, with many others, exprefied fuch indifference, at fuch a juncture, as even amounted to treachery. In a word, the king of Scotland faw his troops diminimed one half ; but, he was fo advantageoufly polled, that the Englifli could not attack him with any probability of fuc- cefs. The earl of Surrey, knowing his difpofition, fent an herald with a defiance, couched in the moft provoking terms ; and James declared he would give him battle on the Friday following. Surrey forthwith drew up his army in order of battle; and marching to Woller-haugh, within three miles of the Scottifli camp, made a motion towards the left, along the river Till, which he pafied, and then directed his march towards the Tweed, as if he intended to cut off the communication between the enemy and Scotland. The country was by this time fo wafted by the Scots, the roads fo broken, and the rivers fo fwelled by the rains, that he would have found it im- poflible to eftablim magazines, or fubfift for any length of time, while the enemy enjoyed abun- dance. The Scots were not ignorant of the advan- tages they poflefifed j and the earl of Huntley, in a council HENRY VIII. 369 council of war, expatiated upon th?m with great AtC- '5l> ftrength of argument ; obferving, that ic would be madnefs to fight the. Englifh on their owa terms, efpecially as they were fuperior.in number of m?n ; and that in a few days they would be obliged to retire for want of provifion. James rejected this advice, as a propofal that derogated from his honour, and determined to fight them according to his promife. He forthwith ordered his huts to be fet on fire ; and, under favour of the fmoke, quitted his advantageous fituation, that he might draw up his army in the plain, where he already found the Englifh in order of battle, ib near, that his artillery planted on the declivity of a hill, could do no execution. They were formed into three lines; the fird commanded by the lord admiral; the fecond by Sir Edward Howard, and Sir Mar- maduke Comtable ; and the third by the earl of Surrey, aflifted by the lord Dacres, and Sir Ed- ward Stanley. The king of Scotland drew up his army on a rifing-ground, not without great damage from the Englilh artillery, planted at the pafs of Millfkld. The command of the van was given to the earl of Huntley ; the fecond line was command- ed by the earls of Lennox and Argyle ; while the earls of Crawford and Montrofe conducted the body of referve-, and James himfelf acted as a volun- teer in his own army. Huntley charged the divi- fion of Howard with fuch fury, that it was imme- diately put in confufion, and routed : but, it was fa feafonably fupported by the lord Dacres, that the' men rallied, and the battle became general. Both fides fought for a long .time with incredible impe- tuofity, until the Highlanders being galled by the Englifh artillery, broke in fword in hand upon the main body commanded by the earl of Surrey ; and at the head of thefe, James fought in perfon with the moft forward of his nobility. They attacked N° 48. B b with 370 HISTORY GF ENGLAND. A.C. 1513. vv]th fuch velocity, that the other line could not ad- vance in time to fuftain them ; fo that a body of the Englifli intercepted their retreat : the earls of Crawford and Montrote were routed by the lord admiral, and his rallied forces, while the earl of Hume and his followers flood inactive, without making the leaft motion to their afiiftance. In the mean time James, being almoft furrounded by the enemy, refuted to quit the field, while it was yet in his power. He fcorned to furvive the difgrace of a defeat : but, alighting from his horfe, formed his little body into an orb, reiblving that the Eng- lifh mould pay dear for the victory. In this pofture he fought with fuch defperate courage as reftored the battle j and even obliged the Englifli to avoid the clofe fight, and have recourfe to their arrows Thefemgof and artillery, which made terrible havock. The ^"drfeie ear^s °^ Montrofe, Crawford, Argyle, and Lennox, "ndfl«inat were killed upon the fpot, with the braveft of their rioddcn. men . flncj tne king Of Scotland is faid to have Hau ?' fallen in the miditof his Oaughtered fubjects. The ?«fd'n8f" Engagement, however, was protracted until night Drak'r. parted the combatants. The darknefs favoured the retreat of the Scots ; and the Englifh did not think the victory afcertained, until next day, when they found themfelves mafters of the field, and the enemy's artillery. Ten thouiand Scots are faid to have perifhed on Jihis occafion ; and the victors loft about half that number. A body, fuppoied to be that of James, was inclofed in a leaden coffin, and fent to London, where it remained unburied, until it was abfolved by the pope of the fentenceof ex- communication, which he had incurred on account of his attachment to Lewis. The Scottilh Kifto- rians pretend, that this was not the body of Jamesr but of a young gentleman called Elphinfton, who, "as well as feveral other volunteers, were habited like the king, that his danger might be the more •1 divided, HENRY VIII. 371 divided. They alledge, that James was feen on A< c- »sf3* the other fide of the Tweed after the battle ; and that he was affafllnated by the earl of Hume, who bore an inveterate grudge to his perfon. Be that as it will, he was a prince of great courage and generofity, and died univerially lamented by his fubjects, who loved him with extraordinary af- fection. Henry, notwithstanding the laurels he had ga- Henry per- thered in the courfe of this fummer, began to be ^wheljrf tired of the war with France, in proportion as he *»« *llics- became more and more convinced of the treachery of his allies. After the battle of Guinegafte, the Swifs, inftigated by the pope and the emperor, made an irruption into Burgundy, and inverted Dijon, which was defended by La Tremouille lately returned from Italy. This officer, finding himtelf reduced to extremity, concluded a capitu- lation with the befiegers, by which he bound him- felf to pay four hundred thoufand crowns ; and promifed, in his matter's name, that the king mould renounce, all his pretenfions to the dutchy of Mi- lan. The Swifs received twenty thoufand crowns of the money from La Tremouille, and four hof- tages, with which they returned very well fatisfied to their own country : but thefe found means to ef- cape, when Lewis refufed to ratify the capitulation. That monarch finding himfelf unable to cope with fo many adverfaries, refolved to reconcile himfelf to the pope, who, having no perfonal enmity againft him, and being now rid of his fears for Italy, ex- acted no other condition, but that of his renounc- ing the council of Pifa, which he immediately abandoned. The accommodation was no fooner effected, than Leo fent a brief to king Henry, ex- horting him earneltly to a peace, as he had taken up arms for the defence of the hoiy fee, and already accomplilhed that purpofe, by his victories over Bb2 her 372 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A.C. 15.13. her enemy, inconsequence of which he had re- turned to his bbedience. Henry's eyes were now fully opened. He and his allies had ufed the decla- ration of defending the church, as a pretence only, to cover their own feparate interefts : and now the pope had accomplished his own aim, he pretended to interpret the preamble of their league in the lite- ral acceptation. He had been more than once duped by his father-in-law the king of Arragon •, he had nothing to expect either from the power or fincerity of the emperor, and he forefaw that he Ihould bs unable of himfelf to maintain a war againft the whole ftrength of France, from which he therefore endeavoured to extricate himfelf with the firft opportunity. Lewis, fired with the ambition of recovering Milan and Genoa, refblved to low jealoufies and diffentions among the allies ; and with this view renewed a negotiation with the emperor, touching a marriage between his daughter Renee, and Charles archduke of Auftria. Such an alliance would have been very agreeable to Maximilian and , Ferdinand ; but, the pope could not behold the profpect of it without the utmoft difquiet ; for, he was net more afraid of feeing Milan in the hands of the French, than of its being pofieffed by a grandfon of the emperor, and king of Arragon. He and the Swiis paffionately defired to fee the family of the Sfcrzas in poffeflion of that dutchy. The chief aim of the Venetians was, to procure an equitable peace with the emperor, which they could not ob- tain without the afliftance of France ; and this was not to be acquired but by aiding Lewis to re- cover the Milanefe. Maximilian was the more averfe to peace, as he found his account in the war, which was carried on at the expence of his allies againft Venice ; and it was the intereft of Ferdinand to keep the affairs of Italy embroiled, that HEN R Y VIII. 373 that Lewis might not have leifure to convert his A^c-'sf4- attention to Navarre, which the Spaniard had con- quered. For this purpofe he acted a gr*at variety or* parts •, fometimeshe affifted the emperor againft ^nUnand't Venice •, fometimes he ufed his good offices with diffimuta- Muximilian, in favour of the republic-, at other U;m- times he inftigated the pope and the Swifs againft Lewis ; and then he offered his affiftance to that * prince, in conquering the dutchy of Milan. His whole conduct was made up of artifice and deceit, prattifed for his own felfifli purpofes : but, at length his cunning overfliot itfelf ; for hs loft his reputation to inch a degree, that no prince would confide in* his profefiions. Pope Leo, alarm- ed at the negotiation which Lewis had renewed with the emperor, endeavoured to reconcile him with the Swifs, that he might be the lefs difpofed to unite with Maximilian, and the king of Arra- jron ; but, all his efforts proved ineffectual. Fer- dinand, afraid of being left alone in the lurch, prolonged the truce for another year with Lewis -, and his holinefs endeavoured to promote an ac- commodation between the emperor and the Vene- tians, that thi; French might be difcouraged from revifiting Italy. After fome negotiation, they chofe him arbiter of their difference, and he pro- nounced a provifional fentence, ordaining, That both parties mould lay down their arms : That the emperor (hould put, by way of depofit, in his hands, the town ofVicenza, and all that the Spa- niards occupied in the territories of Padua and Trevifo : That the Venetians fhould aft in the fame manner with refpect to Crema •, and pay fifty thoufand ducats to the emperor: but. That this provifional agreement fhould be null, if not ratified by both parties \ and in that cafe, he engaged to pronounce adefinitive fentence within the year. This award was accordingly rejected by the Venetians, B b 3 who 374 A. €.1514. Guicciardi- ni. Promotions. Thomas Wolfey created bilhop of Lincoln, and admini- ftrator of the diocefe of Tournay Rymer. Peacebe- tween Eng land and france. HISTORY OF ENGLAND, who thought a truce would be more prejudicial to their affairs than a continuation of the war. Such was the ftate of affairs in Europe when Henry returned from France, and celebrated his victories with all forts of public rejoicing. A par- liament was aiTembled on the third day of January, tho* nothing of moment was tranfacted. During the feflion, the king conferred upon the earl of Sur- rey the title of duke of Norfolk, which his father had loft with his life at the battle of Bofworth ; his eldeft fon Thomas became earl of Surrey -, Charles Bran- don vifcount de Lifle was created duke of Suffolk ; Charles Somerfet was promoted to the earldom of Worcefter-, and, Margaret daughter of the duke of Clarence, brother to Edward IV. obtained the title of countefs of Salisbury, as heirefs of her bro- ther the earl of Warwick, who had been beheaded. The bifhopric of Lincoln becoming vacant, was beftowed upon Thomas Wolfey by the pope, who had referved to himfelf all the collations of the Englifh fees ; and he afterwards appointed Wolfey adminiftrator of the diocefe of Tournay, on pre- tence of its being abandoned by the bifhop. While the pope took thefe meafures to make the minifter of England propitious to his views, Lewis king of France made overtures of peace to Henry, by means of the duke of Longueville, who had been taken in the battle of Guinegafte. That no- bleman acted as a private ambaffador, in opening the eyes of the Englifh monarch with regard to the conduct of his allies -, and demanded his fifter Mary in marriage for Lewis, who had loft his wife Anne of Brittany in the beginning of the preceding year. No Englifhman was privy to this negotiation but the 4 and he, approach- ing the fame city, offered them a great lum of mo- ney, if they would return to their own country. The negotiation was already pretty far advanced, when they received a reinforcement of fifteen thou- fand men. and not only rejected his propofal, but refolved to give him battle withou£ delay. Ac- cordingly they attacked him at Marignan, and were defeated with great (laughter : then they re- tired to SwirTerland i and their ally, Maximilian Sforza, being obliged to furrender himfelf, with the citadel of Milan, to the victor, was fent prifon- cr to France. The pope, feeing Francis triumph over all his machinations, refolved to make his peace with that monarch; and an accommodation was immediately effected on fuch advantageous terms as his holinefs had no reafon to expect from a prince whom he had fo grievoully injured. By this time Henry king of England began to alter in his difpofition towards Francis. He became jealous and envious of that monarch's greatnefs and glory •, he was inftigated againil him by Wolfey, who wanted to gratify his animoficy againft the French king, for having done him ill offices with the 380 HISTORY OP ENGLAND. A.JC.- '5^5. the pope, concerning the bifhopric of Tournay, of which the Englifh mmifter was adminiftrator. Wolfey had delired Francis to beftow another dio- cefe upon Lewis Guillard, bifhop of than fee, and the French king had promifed to gratify him in that particular i but, inttead of complying wich his requeft, he follicited the pope to re-eftabiifh Guil- u.Hertert. lard, who obtained a bull for that purpofe. This mandate gave great umbrage both to Henry and his favourite, who thus loft an advantageous admi- niftration ; but Francis, in order to pacify Wolfey, promifed to employ his ictereft towards his obtain- ing a cardinal's hat, which was the chief object: of his ambition. He had hoped to fucceed Bambridge both as cardinal and archbifhop of York •, and em- ployed as his follicitor, at the court of Rome, car- dinal Adrian de Cornetto, the pope's collator in England, whofe deputy in this office was Polydore Virgil the hiftorian. The cardinal, however, had not acted with fmcerity in this negotiation-, and Wolfey, receiving intelligence that he had betray- ed his caufe, was fo irritated againft him, that he not only feized the firft pretext that occurred to fend Virgil prifoner to the Tower, but alfo influ- enced the king to write a letter with his own hand to the pope, defiring he would appoint a collator Wolfey ob- in the room of Adrian. His holinefs did not think tuns a «r- proper to refufe his requeft ; but he and the cardinal, dinal s hat. t~ r .__... ,. ..71 . , . , . . , He detaches Julio de Medicis, follicited in their turn the enlarge - fronlf IS in- ment of Polydore Virgil ; who, neverthelefs, was tereft of not dilcharged from his confinement until Wolfey Francis. j^ Q^aJnej ,-^g cardinal's hat by the good orfiees of the French monarch. Notwithstanding the joy with which he received the news of his promotion, he would not forgive the author of his elevation for the injury he fuftain- ed at his hands in the affair of Tournay i but refolv- ed to engage Henry in a new league againft France. His HENRY VIII. 3? His three predominant paffions were pride, intereft, A>c- 'S' and revenge •, and thefe three he refolved to gratify on this occafion. He wanted to fliew that even, fovereigns mould not offend him with impunity. Ha confulted his revenge in diftieffing Francis; and his intereft in preferving the adminiftration of the bifhopric of Tournay, which he had no profpect of retaining any other way than by a rup- ture between France and England. The king was wholly guided by his counfels, without per- ceiving his afcendency. Richard Fox, bifliop of Winchefter, his benefactor, together with the dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk, received fuch mortifications from this imperious prelate, as obliged them to re- tire from court, that they might be no longer ex- pofed to his infolence •, and the reft of the privy council was chiefly compofed of his creatures. He now fomented the king's paffions againft Francis, by exaggerating the greatnefs and glory of that monarch, and infinuating that it was the intereft of England to humble his pride, and hinder him from growing more powerful. When he had thus prepared the king's difpofuion, he gave the emperor to un- derftand that it would not be impofiible to detacii his mafter from the intereft of Francis; and, in the mean time, he prevailed upon Henry to renew the alliance between Spain and En'gland, notwltnftand- Ld.Hert««. ing the repeated perfidy of Ferdinand. Maximilian, overjoyed at thefe advances, fent a Milande ambaf- fador to Eondon, to demand fuccours for Francis Sforza, who refided in Germany, and had aflumed the title of duke of Milan fince the captivity of his elder brother. Henry, on this occafion, convoked a general council, to which the bifliop of Winchef- ter, and the dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk, were particularly fummoned. The cardinal opened the aiTembly with a ftudied fpeech againft Francis, en- deavouring to demon ft rate that ic was the intereft " of 3S2 HISTORY OP ENGLAND. AC. 1515. of England to oppofe the progrefs of his ambition- His fentiments were efpoufed by the bifhop of Dur- ham, and the majority of the members j but the ancient counfellors difTuaded the king from infring- ing the peace to which he had fo folemnly fworn ; and advifed him to turn his arms againft Scotland, where the Frehch party prevailed over the intereft of his fifter. Henry himfelf feemed to follow a middle courfe ; which, in all probability, was pre- icribed by his minifter. He determined to afiift the emperor and Francis Sforza privately : he or- dered Richard Pace, his ambaffador at the impe- rial court, to treat with them on the fubje£t, and accommodated them with large fums of money. The duke of Milan engaged to pay an annual pen- fion often thoufand ducat* to Wolfey for his good offices, as foon as he fhould be re eftablifhed in his dutchy i and the emperor fent Matthew Skinner, cardinal of Sion, into England, to negotiate a La. Herbert, , -ITT A&. Pub. league with Henry. The parliament re affembled on the twelfth day of November ; and the clergy met in convocation about the fame time, having confidered the demand of an extraordinary fubfidy, which the pope required on pretence of an approaching war with the Turks. They replied, that the laft war, undertaken againft France, at the follicitation of pope Julius II. for the defence of the church, had exhaufted the cler- gy infuch a manner, that they were in no condition to grant new fubfidies : befides, by a decree of the council of Conftance, the pope could not impofe fubfidies on the clergy, without the approbation of Ld, Habsrt, a general council. The Englifii clergy were now fub- ject to a new pope of their own, in the perfon of Wol- fey, who was much more formidable than the pontiff of Rome, becaufe fupported by the king's whole authority. Since his being inveiled with the dig- nity of cardinal, he had become more vain, proud, and HENRY VIII. 383 and imperious than ever. He never appeared in^^s's* public without the retinue of a fovereign prince. The pride His cardinal's hat was carried as a trophy before onvoK him* and when he entered the chapel, placed upon the altar. He was preceded by his ferjeant at arms and mace, two gentlemen carrying pillars of filver, andhiscrofs-bearer. His habit was of fi-lk; and the very harnefs of his horfes embroidered with gold. Warham, archbiftiop of Canterbury, was fhocked at his oftentation •, and ftill more chagrined at his prefumption, in ordering the crofs of York to be carried erect in the province of Canterbury. Know- ing himfelf unable to cope with Wolfey in point of intereft, he begged leave to retire to his own fee, and refign the office of chancellor, which was im- mediately conferred on the favourite cardinal, whom the king enabled tofupport his aflumed dig- nity with continual benefactions of prebends, ward- fliips, and other perquifites. Befides the income of his archbilhopric and office of chancellor, he farmed at a mean price the fees of Bath, Wells, and Hereford, poffeffed by Italians refiding atA(Slc- 'S'?- mile, on various pretences ; alledging, that he. muft firft obtain the confent of the diet, that he himfelf might retain the title of king of the Ro- mans, and render it hereditary in his family : at other times, he faid his intention was to procure the imperial crown to his grandfon Charles, to create Henry king of the Romans, and to erecl: Auflria into a kingdom for Ferdinand the brother of Charles. From thefe vague declarations, the ambafladors concluded, that he had no intention to part with the imperial crown; and that his ori- ginal propofal was no more than a fcheme of adu- Jation to extort money from the king of England. Henry had very little reafon to be chagrined at his being difappointed in the hope of fuch a troublefome dignity. He ruled over a wealthy nation, which, entirely acquielced in his government ; and the tranquillity of his people was uninterrupted, except by petty commotions, which were eafily quelled. One of thefe happened at this juncture, in the city RIot ln of London, where the apprentices raifed a riot London, againft foreigners, fome of whom were robbed and murdered. The earls of Salifbury and Surrey af- iembling the inns of court men, cleared the ftreets of the populace; and in about three days after the riot, the duke cf Norfolk entering the city at the head of thirteen hundred armed men, joined the mayor, and proceeded legally againft the offenders. John Lincoln, a broker, and three other ringlea- ders, were hanged, drawn, and quartered. Ten were hung on gibbets in the ftreets ; the recorder and aldermen went in mourning to court, and de-^ precated the wrath of the king, who referred the affair to the cognizance of the cardinal, who was chancellor of the realm. In confequence of his award, all the prifoners in white fhirts, with halters about their necks, appeared before the king at C c 3 Weminltsr, S9o HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A. c. 15-7. Weftminfter, and craving mercy, were pardoned. Sweating This diilurbance was fucceeded by the fweating (kitnefw ficknefs, which raged in England v/ith fuch malig- nity, that a great number of people died in three hours after they were feized with the diflemper, which, in fome towns, deftroyed one third, and in others, one half of the inhabitants. views of Though there was not one prince in Europe that thedifter-nt . 11 - n • powers in thought the pope was really in earnelt in his pro- Euro.e. ject £or a general league againft the Infidels, or even believed fuch a fcheme practicable, almoil every individual potentate ufed it as a pretext for cover- ing his own interefted defigns. The emperor being defirous of feeing one of his grand- children elected king of the Romans, availed himfelf of this pre- tended war againft the Turks, to perfuade the Ger- mans, that the imperial dignity ought to be pre- ferved in the houfe of Auftria, as no other family in the empire had power enough to refift their at- tempts. Charles king of Spain made ufe of the fame pretence for the fame purpofe ; and as he had occafion for fome years of peace, ftrenuoufly in- jfifted upon the conclufion of a general truce, that the chriftian princes might be at liberty to unite their forces againft the Infidels. Such a propofal could not be difagreeable to the French king, alarmed by the defenfive league which had been formed againft him, and eager to recover Tour- nay, which he could not hope to retrieve in time of peace ; and Henry VIII. was glad to engage in the alliance formed by the pope, the emperor, the kings of France and Spain ; becaufe his' refufal •might have furniihed them with a pretence for un- dertaking fomethingto his prejudice The example of fuch powerful fovereigns was followed by all the petty powers in Europe •, and the pope began to think that this project would be put in execution, than HENRY VITI. -9,1 tlian which, nothing was farther from the thoughts A-c- Is|7. of the contracting parties. The king of France forefeeing that he mould never be able to retrieve Toumay, without gaining over to his intereft cardinal Wolfey, who was ad- miniflrator of that bifhopric, fpared neither flattery, promifes, nor prefents, to render that prelate pro- .pitious to his views ; and at length, he prevailed upon him to agree to the reflitution, on condition that the cardinal fhould be indemnified for the lofs of the adminiftration, by a yearly penfion : that the French king fhould pay fix hundred thoufand crowns to Henry for the city of Tournay : and, that a match fhould be effected between the dau- phin and the princefs Mary, daughter to the king of England. This private convention being fettled, Wolfey all of a fudden, changing his ufual ftrain, reprefented to the king, that the expence of the .garrifon of Tournay greatly furpafied all the ad- vantages he could derive from the pofTefllon of a place which was at fuch a diftance frnm Calais j that it could not be maintained in cafe of a rup- ture between the two crowns : he therefore ad- vifed him to fill his coffers with the money which was offered by Francis ; and embrace the propoial of the match, which would confolidate their fnend- fhip, render them the arbiters of Europe, and form a ieafonable bulwark againft the growing power of the houfe of Auftria, already in polfemon of rue empire, Spain, the Low Countries, and the kingdoms of Naples and Sicily. Henry plainly perceived Wolfey's motives for changing the tenor erbart* of his diicourfe in this manner -, and publicly de- clared, that he faw Wolfey was refolved to govern both himfelf and the king of France. Indeed, the .cardinal had made a merit of difclofmg to the king the advances which the French monarch had to him in pri/are, obfemng., that the prince C c 4 392 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A. 0.1517. rnuft be very defirous of Henry's friendfhip who would fue fo fubmiflively to his fervants. Wol- fey had gained fuch an afcendency over the mind pf his fovereign, that he could have perfuaded him to follow any meafure whatfoever, even though it 'had been oppofue to his own intereft : bur, here his favourite's inclination, and his own intereft: happened to coincide ; and he accordingly afTented to the propofal. The conditions of the alliance being regulated hetween the cardinal and M. de Villeroy, fecretary of ftate, who repaired to Lon- don for that purpofe, the king of France fent over A new alii- a folemn embafly, compofed of the admiral deBon- tr.c.be- nivet, Stephen Poncher biftop of Paris, joined to France and Villeroy, and impowered to renew the treaty of ^ngiand. friendfhip between the two kings j to treat of a league with the pope, and other princes of Chrif- tendom, for the defence of religion and the catho- lic church ; of the match between the dauphin and the princels Mary \ of the rcftitution of Tournay, St. Amand, and Mortagne ; and of an interview between the two kings. They brought over let- ters patent, by which Francis obliged himfelf to pay to his dear friend the cardinal of York, a pen- fion of ten thoufand livres, in return for his giving up the adminifrration of the bifhopric of Tournay. All thefe articles being duly difcuffed, four feparate treaties were figned, and ratified in October. In the firft, the contracting parties agreed, That the mar- riage fhould be celebrated when the dauphin fhould have attained the fourteenth year of his age : That JMary's portion mould amount to three hundred and thirty thoufand crowns of gold : and, That her jointure Ihould be equal to that of Anne of Bre- tagne, and Mary of England, who had been wives to Lewis XII. The fecond related to the reftitu- |ion of Tournay, for which Francis engaged to pay fix hundred thoufand crowns j but from this fum. HENRY VIII. 393 he was left at liberty to deduft die portion of the A- c- jsl8' princefs Mary. The third concerned certain pre- cautions taken, to prevent an infraction of the peace, as well as to procure prompc reparation for the damage that might be fuftained by the fybjects of either power. And the fourth ftipulated an in- terview between the two monarchs, in the village of Sandenfelt, near Ardres in Picardy. Thefe trea- Rymei-. ties being ratified, the princefs Mary was betroth- ed to the dauphin, in St. Paul's church at Lon- don ; and the earl of Worcefter, with Weft bifhop of Ely, and a magnificent train, fent over to de- mand the performance of Francis, who fwore to the obfervance of the treaties, delivered hoftages for the payment of the money, and in the name of his fon, fulfilled the contrail of marriage. During thefe tranfactions, the pope appointed Defenfw* cardinal Laurentius Campejus his legate in Eng- SSSat*" Jand, with directions to follicit Henry's engagement London. in the general league or quinquennial truce-, and authority to demand a tenth of the Englifh clergy. Wolfey was no fooner informed of this appointment, than he fent one of his confidents to Rome, with a remonftrance to his holinefs, importing that the no- mination of another legate, while he refided cardi- nal in England, was fuch an affront as would de- ftroy his credit and influence, and render him in- capable of ferving the holy fee effectually. Leo be- ing unwilling to difoblige fuch a favourite minifter, joined him in the legation with Campejus, whom the Englifh cardinal found means to detain at Bou- logne, until he received the pope's anfwer. Then understanding, that Campejus was come with a very mean equipage, he prefented him with fome bales of red cloth for garments to his retinue, and twelve fumpter mules richly caparifoned ; with which he made a magnificent entry into London. During the procefiion, however, one of the mules happen- ed 4 H I S T O R Y o P E N G L A N D. .C. jfjS. ed to fall, and the coffers which he carried flying open, difcovered nothing but rags, broken meat, and marrow-bones ; a circumftance which expofed the foreign cardinal to the ridicule of the populace. Such was the influence that Wolfey had gained at the court of Rome, that when cardinal Adrian de Cornetto was depofed and dripped of all his bene* fices, in ronfequence of his having engaged in a confpiracy againft the pope, the admimftration of the bilhopric of Bath and Wells, which hepoffeiTed in England, was given to the cardinal of York : and now he and his colleague Campejus were veft- cd with the extraordinary power of granting plenary .ffcrbm. indulgences. Their negotiation, however, pro- ceeded but (lowly ; for, though Leo iin powered them by an exprefs bull, to conclude a league a- gainft the Turks, between the emperor and the v kings of England, France, and Spain, all that they could obtain was, a defenfive alliance in favour of the holy fee, and their refpe&ive dominions, in cafe a Pub t^ey mould ke attacked by the Infidels. The pope, by them declared chief of this league, was extreme- ly mortified to find them fo averfe to an offenfive afibciation, by virtue of which he could have amaf- fed fums of money j neverthelefs, he approved and ratified the treaty, and the report of an intended invafion by the Infidels immediately vaniflied. The peace which Europe now enjoyed was in- "terrupted by the death of the emperor Maximillian, who was no fooner in his grave, than trie kings of • France and Spain openly declared themfeives com- petitors for the imperial throne ; and began to ca- .c.jsig. ba| among the electors. The pope fincerely wifh- ed that neither mould afcend the imperial throne, -becaufe both had fuch connexions with Italy, that he of the two who mould be chofen, would have ir. in his power to embroil that country. The king of England had ftill a hankering after the imperial HENRY VIII. 395 dignity, and lent Richard Pace, as his ambafiador, A-c-'5i9- ;to found the electors j but, he was too late in his application : and at length, the intereft of Charles prevailing, he was elected emperor at the diet of Frankfort. Leo finding all oppofition would be in cwiesking vain, a/Tented to the election with a good grace ; °f spain but Francis was extremely mortified at his difap- ^"dfTtheT pointment, which inflamed the jealoufy that fubfift- Maximilian ed between him and Charles; and haftened thepLj6111 rupture that enfued. Indeed, their differences werethrone- • fuch as could not be eafiiy terminated in an amica- ble manner. Francis had pretenfions to the king- j^uuftu*'f J?ea' dom of Naples, and reafon to complain that his ri- c:hari-« and val had not reftored the kingdom of Navarre to Francis- John D'Albret, according to the ftipulations of the treaty of Noyons. On the other hand, Cfiarles laid claim to the dutchy of Burgundy, as heir to the ancient dukes, as well as to the dutchy of Milan, which, though poflefTed by Francis, was a fief of the empire. Another fource of contention was the duke of Guelderland, who, though a profefied ene- my of the emperor, was publicly protected by Francis. The pope was obliged to temporize with both, though of the two he was inclined to favour Charles i and Henry of England, by a fteady and jdifcreet conduct, might have held the ballance of power betwixt thofe two rivals, fo as to caufe either icale to preponderate, according to the necefilty of the times, or the dictates of his own intereft. Thefe, Merer.?, however, he did not always regard i becaufe he was ablblutely ruled by the paffions and caprice of his favourite Wolfey, whom Charles and Francis cultivated with the utmoft affiduity, well knowing, there was no other way to procure the friendfhip and affiftance of England, which was deemed fo neceffary to the fuccefs of their defigns. Befides Both court prelVnts and penfions offered to this idol, they vied JraeS^f with each other in carefling him with the grofleft Wolfe* adu- 396 HI STORY OF ENGLAND. A. 0.1519. adulation, calling him in their letters, their friend, their patron, and their father; and extolling his virtue, prudence, and capacity, in the moft hyper- bolical expreffions. He cunningly made ufe of thefe teflimonies, not only to flatter his matter's va- nity, by reprefenting how formidable he muft ba to thofe two potentates, who (looped fo low as to court the good graces of his minifter, but, like wife to enhance his own merit in the opinion of Henry, who could not help obferving, that Wolfey's parts muft have been greatly fuperior to thofe of all o- ther favourites, when they were thus acknowledged by the greateft princes of Chriftendom. He actu- ally looked upon himfelf as the arbiter of Europe, and remained fo fully convinced of his cardinal's ca- pacity, that he faw nothing but with his eyes, and was in every thing directed folely by his advice. Wolfey had now attained the very higheft pinnacle of fortune; he was favourite, prime-minifter, lord high chancellor, adminiftrator of the fee of Bath and Wells, archbifhop of York, cardinal, and le- gate a latere. He received annual penfions from the emperor and the king of France, drew immenfe profits from the office of chancellor, by means of " the privileges annexed to it by his majefty ; and the king not only loaded him with rich prefents, but alfo furnimed him with a great number of opportu- nities to increafe his revenues. The pope, the em- peror, the king of France, and the republic of Ve- nice courted his favour with the utmoft emulation; and Francis in particular fent him letters patent, confenting, that he mould regulate the ceremonial of his interview with Henry. -Thatprckte Wolfey was fo intoxicated by this flow of prof- ttdwSv*" Per^y» tliat his prids and arrogance furmounted all po.-.cr. bounds. He could no longer bear equality in his legation ; and therefore prevailed upon the pope to rccal Campejus, and leave him in veiled with the folc H E N R Y VIII. 397 fole legatine power. He now celebrated mafs as if A* c* '5;9. he had been pope in reality, attended by bifhops and dukes ; and earls prefented him with the water and towel. He ordered the crdis of York, and a- nother for his legatine function, to be carried be- fore him by two of the talleft priefts that could be found. He creeled a new court of judicature, cal- led the legate's court, in effect a court of con- fcience, that took cognizance of almofi all the ac- tions of life ; and one John Allen being appointed judge of this bench, acted with incredible rapaci- oufnefs and extortion, on pretence of reforming the morals of the people. He pretended that his jurif- diction extended to all fuits arifing from wills and contracts of marriage -, and tried an infinite num- ber of caufes, whilft the king's judges durft not op- pofe this innovation. At the fame time, the cardi- Herbert, nal legate difpofed of all the benefices of the king- dom in favour of his own creatures, without paying the leaft regard to the rights of churches, monaftf- ries, or patrons. At length the archbi(hop of Can- terbury, from a motive of confcience, informed the king of this oppreffion ; and Henry not only feem- ed furprifed at the cardinal's infolence, but defired the old bilhop to tell him, that he expected he would reform all thofe abufes. This remonftrance produced no other, effect, than that of augmenting Wolfey's hatred to the archbifhop. But his agent, Allen, being afterwards accufod by one John Lon- don, a fimple prieft, the complaint reached the ears of the king, who reprimanded the cardinal with fuch feverity, that he was more circumfpect in the fequel. The great wealth, power, and authority, which he enjoyed in England, could not fatisfy his ambition, while there was one degree of eccie- fiailical dignity which he had not yet attained. He Wo.fey had already begun to take meaiure.s for obtain aiphes ing the papacy, whenever the holy f;e fhould be- ^:y. come 39S HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A. c. 1519. come vacant; and the king of France had afliirecf him of the votes of fourteen cardinals-, but, fmce Charles was elected emperor, he feemed to think that prince more capable of raifing him to St. Pe- ter's chair, and began gradually to wean his mailer from the intereft of France, and engage him in be- half of the houfe of Auftria. Neverthelefs, he would not declare himfelf fo far as to prevent the interview between Henry and Francis, becaufe he could not prevail upon himfelf to refign the p!ea- fure of appearing at the court of France, with all the pomp of ecclefiaftical magnificence -, and of (hewing himfelf to his countrymen, honoured and careffed by fuch a powerful monarch. But he was refolved to take fuch meafures as would hin- der Francis from turning this interview to the pre- judice of the emperor, who at this period gained an incredible acceflion of wealth by the prowefs of Fernando Cortez, in his conqueft of the Mexi- Ld. Herbert. can empire. Wolfey having regulated the ceremonial of the interview, the king repaired to Canterbury in the A. c. 1520. iatter end of May, in order to pafs his Whitfuntide in that city, and from thence proceed to Calais j but next day he was given to underftand that the ch*rrleslee™~ emperor had landed at Dover. The whole court, and even the king himfelf, was furprifed at the arrives m England, arrival of Charles, which had been preconcerted Aa. Pub. between that prince and the cardinal, to whom he had promifed his influence with the pope, towards procuring for him the bifhopric of Bajadox. Wol- fey was fent to compliment the emperor at Do- ver, where the king met him next day, and con- ducted him to (Canterbury -, whither alfo the queen came to vifit her nephew, whom Hie had never feen before. The emperor's defign in this voyage was to divert Henry from his purpofed interview with Francis, f;om which, however, the king of Eng- HENRY VIII. 39? England thought he could not recede with honour; A\ j j Guicciardi- torces on various pretences. The emperor ordered ni. the viceroy of Naples to hold the troops of that kingdom ready to march at the firft notice; and Profper Colonna was declared general of the league. Before they declared themfelves openly, they made unfuccefsful attempts to furprife Genoa, Milan, and Como ; and, the fufpicion of Francis being at length aroufed, he levied twenty thoufand Swifs, and fent them to Milan, under the command of Lautrec. By this time Profper Colonna, having aflembled his forces, invefted Parma ; but was ob- liged to raife the fiege by Lautrec, who purfued him beyond the boundaries of the Milanefe-, and, fup- pofing he had nothing farther to fear from his ef- forts, withdrew Lefcun with his garrifon from Parma. The inhabitants immediately declared for the pope ; Lautrec was abandoned by the Swifs ; and Profper Colonna, purfuing him in his turn, not only obliged him to retire to Como, but alfo D d 2 fub- 404 H IS TOR Y OF ENGLAND. A.C. 1511. fubdued the whole Milanefe, except a few inconft derable places. Death of The French, in all likelihood, would have been pope Leo x. entirely expelled from Italy before the end of the campaign, had not the progrefs of the allies been flopped by the death of pope Leo, who is faid to have died of excefs of joy, at the fuccefs of the league. The news of his deceafe no fooner reached the army than the troops which he had enlifted difperfed ; and the Florentines returned to their own country : the duke of Ferrara recovered fome of his places in the Romagna ; and Francis Maria de la Rovera retriev- ed the dutchy of Urbino. Lautrec might now have triumphed in his turn, had he been properly fup- ported •, but Francis was entirely engroffed by the means of defending himfelf in Picardy and Flan- ders. The emperor, not contented with having humbled Robert de la Marck, aflembled a nume- rous army, and beftowed the command of it upon the count de Nafiau, who approach ing Champagne, Francis reprefented to the king of England that he could no longer forbear taking arms in his own de- fence, as Charles certainly intended to invade his Henry offers dominions. Henry pretended he would remain vmp'n £- neuter in the quarrel ; of which, however, he offer- ween the ed himfelf as the arbitrator, propofing that they FnS' and Ihould fend their plenipotentiaries, by the beginning of Auguft, to Calais, where they fhouid find cardi- nal Wolfey, veiled with full power to ac*b in his name as mediator. Charles willingly embraced this propofal, becaufe he had made fure of the favourite; and Francis durft not reject it, left he mould difo- blige the king of England : it was therefore agreed that the plenipotentiaries of the two monarchs, the pope's nuncio, and the cardinal, fhouid meet at the appointed time and place j but, before this congrefs was opened, the lord of Liques, with an army of the emperor's fubjefts, made himfelf matter of Mor- HENRY VIII. 405 Mortagne, and St. Amand, to which he had laid A- c- |5ZI- fome family claim ; the governor of Flanders in- vetted Tournay, and the Imperialifts razed the town of A rd res. On the fourth day of Auguft the conferences congrefs at were opened at Calais, where the cardinal appear- f cd with all the pomp of a fovereign, in quality of Henry's lieutenant, poffefled of the great feal of England, and velted with ample power to ter- minate the quarrel between the two parties ; to re- new the alliance between France and England ; and conclude any other league that mould be for his matter's intereft. During this negotiation, the 5m- perial general took Mouzon in Champagne, and befieged Mezieres ; which, however, he could not reduce. Then he retired into the county of Na- murj and, the French army, being by this time af- fembled, marched into Flanders ; where they fub- dued feveral places of importance, and had well nigh furprifed the emperor in his retreat towards Valenciennes. At the fame time another body of French forces was fent into Navarre, under the conduct of admiral Bonnivet, who befieged and took the important town of Fontarabia, which is reckoned one of the keys of Spain. Wolfey, mean while, continued to prefide at the congrefs ; but, feemed lefs follicitous about procuring an accom- modation, than in fixing the blame of the rupture upon Francis. The emperor's plenipotentiaries de- manded, That the French king would reltore Bur- gundy to their matter, and renounce all pretenfions to the homage of Flanders and Artois. The French not only rejected thefe articles with difdain, but moreover, infifted upon the reftitution of Mi- lan and Navarre, as well as upon the emperor's re- linquifhing his enterprize upon Tournay, which he ft ill kept befieged. As neither party would abate in their demands, the cardinal declared, that he Taw D d 3 no 406 HISTORY p t ENGLAND. A.C. .521. noprofpect of an accommodation', and defired the plenipotentiaries of both powers to fign a treaty, importing, That the herring fithers of France, and the Low Countries, might fifa unmolefted until the end of January : That the fubjects of the fovereigns at war mould not purfue any veflfel into- the ports of England, or commit any violence in, bis dominions : That the pope's nuncio and the plenipotentiaries at the congrefs, might freely re- tire without danger to their perfons and retinues : and, That the king of England, and the cardinal legate his lieutenant, fhould be the confervators of R. mer. thefe conventions, to be ratified in ten days. They were accordingly figned and ratified ; and the war continuing to rage with great animofity, Francis made himfelf mafter of Hefdin -t while Tournay furrendered to the emperor. L«gue Wolfey, after fome feigned endeavours to find againft Out other expedients for a pacification, repaired to ^"the6" Bruges, where he concluded a league between Hen- emperor and ry ancj ^ emperor againft France, by which the king of England obliged himfelf to attack Francis with an army of forty thoufand men; and to beftow upon Charles the princefs Mary, who hadp already been betrothed to the dauphin. Thus Henry declared himfelf the enemy of Francis, without the leaft provocation, and contrary to all the rules of found policy, confidering the vaft power of the emperor, which it was his intereft to balance. Bur, this ftep was like all the reft of his conduct, fug- gefted by cardinal Wolfey, whofe heart was fet up- on the papacy, which he hoped to obtain by the influence of Charles, who had already procured for him the bifhopric of Palencia in Caftile, with the adminiftration of the fee of Bad aj ox. His legation was protracted for two years ; and Leo before his death had iffbed a bull, impowering him to create fifty knights, as many counts palatine, the like number HENRY VIII: 407 number of acolytes and chaplains, and forty apof- A' c- '5*1' tolical notaries : to legitimate baflards, grant the doctor's degree in all the faculties, as well as all forts of difpenfations : nay, to all the honours, wealth, and po-.ver he already poffciTed, he this year received the addition of the rich abbey of St. Al- ban's in commendam. No wonder that a prelate of his ambition, thus forwarded by every gale of profperity, fhould afpire at the higheft dignity of the church. He is even faid to have been fo impatient to pofiefs St. Peter's chair, that he was concerned in abridging the days of Leo by poifon. Be that as it may, he was certainly fo arrogant as to affect contempt for the nobility of the king- dom ; and fo vindictive, that the mod powerful peer in England could not difoblige him with im- punity. His revengeful difpofition appeared too plainly in the fate of the duke of Buckingham, a weak nobleman of ftrong paflions and the moft childifh .vanity; who was fo unguarded as to fay, in a pri- vate company, that mould the king die without iflue, he would lay claim to the crown as the de- fcendant of Anne of Gloucefter, grand-daughter of Edward III. and that, mould he ever afcend the throne, he would punifh Wolfey according to his demerit. This exprefijon was reported to the car- dinal, who forthwith devoted him to deftruftion. He bribed fome of his domeftics to betray the pri- vate life and converfation of their mafter. From their information, the cardinal learned that he cor- refponded with one Hopkins, a monk in the priory of Hinton, who pretended to the gift of prophecy ; and flattered the duke with aflurances of his fuc- ceeding to the throne of England. Woliey, having thus collected fufficient matter for an impeachment, deprived him of hte two principal fupports, the carl of Northumberland, his father-in-law, who Dd 4 wa? 4o8 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A. c. 1521. was committed to the Tower, on the frivolous pre- tence of his claiming fome wards to which he had no title ; and his fon-in-law the earl of Surrey, who was appointed governor of Ireland, that he might be at a diftance from London. Thefe previous {reps being taken, Edward Stafford duke of Bucking- ham was arrefted and accufed of high-treafon. The chief evidence agalnft him was one Knevit, whom he had difmiffed from his fervice for fome mifde- meanors. He wns taxed with having frequently confulted Hopkins the monk, touching the fuc- ceffion of the crown, as well as with having affected popularity ; with having declared to Knevit, that if he v/ere ill ufcd he would execute againft Henry the fcheme which his father had projected againft . Richard III. whom that nobleman meaned to have affaflinated with a knife, had he been admitted into his prefence ; and with having faid to lord Aber- gavenny, that mould the king die he would af- fume the rule of the realm, in fpite of all op- pofition ; adding, that mould the lord Abergavenny difclofe his purpofe, he would call him to account in fingle combat. He was tried by one duke, one marquis, feven earls, and twelve barons, before the duke of Norfolk, appointed high- fte ward for the cccafion. When he heard the indictment read, he faid it was a falie forged confpiracy : never the lefs, he was convicted upon the evidence of Knevit, Hop- kins, and two others ; and condemned to die the Bu'km°f ^eat^ a tra^tor> The duke of Norfolk could not help fhedding tears when he pronounced his fen- fence; to which the duke replied, " My lord of _T _ _. *- i e Norfolk, you fpeak to me as to a traitor ; -but, « traitor was I never. My lords, I malign you " not for what you have done ; but, may the eter- " nal God forgive you my death, as I do. I fhall " never fue to the king for life : however, he is a 61 gracious prince, and more grace may come frorri co«. STAFFORD Duke 1483 HENRY VIII. 40q ce him than I defire ; and fo I intreat you, my A c- '521- " lords, and all my fellows, to pray for me." He Hall was carried back to the Tower, where he received Hoiimgfced. a mefiage from the king, intimating, that his pu- Herbm- nifhment was mitigated into a decapitation ; and he fuffered death accordingly, to the univerfal re- gret of the people, who did not fcruple to impute his fate to the ill offices of the cardinal, whom they openly libelled as the fon of a butcher, delighting in blood. Henry now wanted nothing but a pretext for *.c. 15**. .declaring his junction with the emperor. He al- ledged, in his own juftification, that Francis had been the aggrefibr in the affair of Robert de la Marck ; buC he was really incenfed againft the French king, for allowing the duke of Albany to return to Scotland from France, where he had been detained for fome years at the requeft of the Eng- lifli monarch, that he might intermeddle the more fuccefsfully in the Scottilh affairs during the ab- fence of the regent. Befides, he imagined the duke intended to marry his fifter, the queen dowager of Scotland, becaufe Ihe had fued for a divorce from her hufband the earl of Angus \ and the duke of Albany had fupported her fuit at the court of Rome. Notwithftanding the pains which the regent took to clear himfelf of this fufpicion, by afluring Henry he had no fuch intention ; and that his own wife was alive, the king of England wrote a letter to the Scottifli parliament, accufing the duke of a defign upon the crown, to the prejudice of the lawful fo- vereign j and defiring them to expel him from the realm. To this charge they anfwered, That he had been mifinformed touching the defigns of the duke of Albany, which were upright and honour- able ; that he himfelf had acled againft the interefts of his own nephew in fomenting difturbances in his kingdom : and, that if he was not inclined to re- 410 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. *. c. 1522, new tne truce with the regent, they would endea- vour to defend their country from his attacks. When he received this anfwer, together with a let- ter from his fifter, reproaching him for his finifter defigns upon her fon James, he ordered the lord Dacres to march with five hundred men to the bor- ders of Scotland, and proclaim, that the Scottifh parliament mould make peace with him within a certain time at their peril. His aim was to furnifh his own party in that kingdom with a pretence for refufmg to ferve the regent, mould he attempt to make a diverfion in favour of Francis. So far the expedient fucceeded. The duke of Albany hav- ing raifed an army to make an irruption into Eng- land, they no fooner approached the frontiers, than many lords of diftinc~tton refufed to proceed, de- claring they would not involve their country in ant Buchanan, unneceffary war with England. The regent find- Tmce with ing it impracticable to do anything of confequence Scodaud. for his French ally, propofed a truce, to which the king of England readily aflfented. The regent then returned to Paris, to concert new meafures with Francis ; while Henry thus dexteroufly avoided a • . war v/ith Scotland, which would have greatly inter- fered with his other projects. The French king being informed of what paffed between the emperor and the cardinal a-t Bruges, fent letters patent to Henry, in which he inferted the article of the league of London, obliging them to aflift each other mutually ; then he recapitulated every meafure the emperor had taken againft him in Italy, Champagne, and Flanders ; and fummonecl the king of England to execute the treaty, to which Aa. Pub. he had ib folemnly fworn. Henry affirmed, that Henry de- Francis was the firft aggreflbr, and as he had bro- dares war fen hjs WOrd with regard to the duke of Albany, See. the Englifh monarch fent over Clarencieux the herald, to declare war againft him as a perturbator of HENRY VIII. 4n o£ the peace of Europe. In order to maintain this A- c- «5**« war, which was altogether unjuft and impolitic, the king, by the advice of the cardinal, ifTued warrants to all Iheriffs and conftables, to number the people from the age of fixteen upwards, and fpecify the effects of each individual, that he might borrow a tenth of the laity, and a fourth of the clergy, befides twenty thoufand pounds, which he exacted by way of loan from the city of London. This dangerous expedient produced great clamours among the people, who loudly exclaimed againft Wolfey as the author of the impofition ; and the London merchants refuied to fpecify the value of their effects, alledging, that as their fubftance was diftributed in various channels of commerce, it could not be properly afcertained : fo that Henry, rather than expofe himfelf to intefline commotions, relaxed in the feverity with which he had begun to collect the loan •> and received what the merchants thought proper to prefent for his fervice. Wolfey was not fo chagrined at this mifcarriage, as at his difappointment with refpect to the papacy. Though the emperor had promifed to fupport his pretenfions with all his intereft, he had no intention to keep his word. He wanted to have a pope who fliould be wholly devoted to his intereft ; and he knew Wolfey too well, to think he mould be able to govern fuch a pontiff: he therefore refolved to promote his own preceptor cardinal Adrian Flo- rentius, a native of Utrecht, to the papacy ; and to conduct his election in fuch a manner, that he fhould not run the rilque of forfeiting the friend- ihip of Wolfey, who had reminded him of his pro- mife ; and fent Richard Pace to manage his intereft at Rome, immediately after the deceafe of Leo. Charles took His meafures on this occafion with fuch art and addrefs, that Adrian was unanimouily chofen pope in the conclave, without the emperor's appearing 4i2 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A. c. T522. appearing to intermeddle in the affair. The very Guicciar- choice, however, of this perfon, plainly pointed out the directors of the election ; and doubtlefs, Wolfey muft have been equally mortified and in- cenfed againft Charles : though he thought pro* per to fupprefs his refentment, in hope of being able to profit by the emperor's friendfhip on fome future occafion, as the new pontiff Adrian VI. was old and infirm. On the other hand, Charles found it neceffary to keep up a friendly correfpondence with the Englifh cardinal, well knowing it intirely depended on that prelate, whether or not he mould The emper- live on amicable terms with Henry. It was there- in England, fore with a view to cultivate this friendfhip, that the emperor, in his voyage to Spain, touched on the twenty-fixth day of May at Dover, where he found the cardinal waiting for him with a magni- ficent retinue ; and Henry in perfon, repairing to the fame place, conducted him to Greenwich. From thence they went together to London, where they were entertained with great fplendor, the car- dinal celebrating mafs before them, with all the pomp of a fovereign pontiff : then the king invited Charles to Windfor, where he was inftalled in the order of the garter, to which his brother Ferdinand had likewife been admitted. After this ceremony, the two monarchs conferred together upon more important fubjects, and ra- tified the treaty of Bruges in the mott folemn man- ner. In the preamble, Henry declared himfelf abfolved of all obligations to Francis, who had be- gun the war againft the emperor ; and fent the duke of Albany into Scotland, contrary to his engage- ments. The contracting parties agreed, That Charles mould efpoufe the princefs Mary, as foon as Ihe fhoqld have attained the twelfth year of her age j and receive as her portion four hundred thousand crowns, from which, however3 Henry (hould HENRY VIII. 4i5 fhould deduct what he had lent to Maximilian: A,C. ,52i. That, if either party fhould recede from this contract of marriage, he fliould pay four hundred thoufand crowns to the other : That, by a certain limited time, the emperor mould invade France on the fide of Spain with an army of forty thoufand men, while the king of England mould enter Picardy with the like number: That neither peace nor tmce fhould be concluded without^their mutual confent : That the conquefts made in France mould belong to him who had the beft pretenfions to the con- quered places ; and, That in order to avoid all difpute on this fubject, they mould declare their fe- parate pretenfions before the beginning of the cam- paign : That the two powers mould aflift each other reciprocally, in cafe the king of England might be inclined to fubdue Scotland, or reduce Ireland to implicit obedience; or the emperor be difpofed to recover Guelderland or Friefland ; and in cafe England mould be attacked by the Scots, or Flanders by the duke of Guelderland : That they fhould fubmit to the fpiritual jurifdifbion of the cardinal of York, as pope's legate, and require him to pronounce the fentence of excommunication againtl that prince who mould firft violate the treaty, which in the mean time fhould be concealed from the knowledge of the common enemy : That RymeT. the pope fhould be defired to engage in this league «"•**• as a contracting party : Thar the Venetians fhould be admitted into the alliance, provided they would renounce their engagements with France : and, That the two principal powers mould endeavour to detach the Swifs from the French intereft, or at leaft, prevail upon them to remain neuter. This league being figned and confirmed, Charles obliged himfelf by lettters patent, to make up to Henry the fums that were due to him from Francis, in cafe that prince fhould, on account of this alliance, re- fufe 414 H I S T O R Y o F E N G L A N D; A.C. 1522. fufe to continue the payments to which he had bound himfelf by treaty. The emperor like wife engaged to pay to Wolfey the penfion of twelve thoufand livres, which he had received from Francis in lieu of the bifhopric of Tournay,befides an annuity of two thou- fand five hundred ducats, in the room of what he drew from the fee of Badajox. But thefe liberalities of the emperor were amply recompenfed by a large fum which he borrowed of Henry before his departure. During the five weeks he fpent in England, he won the affeclion of the whole court by his affability and prefents ; and recommended himfelf ftrongly to the nation in general, by appointing the earl of Surrey admiral of his fleet. While he refided at London, that nobleman, who commanded the joint fleets of England and Flanders, made twd defcents upon the coaft of France, from whence he carried off confiderable booty ; and afterwards con- Eari of voyed the emperor to Spain, On his return from wkhaSdy tnis expedition, he was fent over to Calais with a of forces in- body of forces, to join the count de Bure, the irri- topicaidy. perja| genera{ . ancj thefe having ravaged part of Picardy, undertook the fiege of Hefdin, which, however they could not reduce. Then they at- tacked Douriens, which they took and burned, to- gether with Marquife, and tome other places of little importance 3 but^ the winter approachingj and difienfion prevailing between the generals, the earl of Surrey withdrew his troops to Calais, and Guicciar- returned to England. The French king was ftill dini* more unfortunate in Italy, where Lautrec, who commanded his troops, was defeated at Bicoque* by Profper Colonna general of the allies. This hft likewife made himfelf matter of Genoa by fur- prize : fo that Francis retained nothing in Italy but the caftles of Milan and Cremona ; and thefe were Mezerai. dofely blocked up by the Imperalifts. In Navarre the French kept their ground with good fuccefs, under HENRY VIII. 4r5 under the marechal de Chabanes, who compelled A.c.i5» rhe Spaniards to raife the fiege of Fontarabia, which he fupplied with a good garriibn. Cardinal Woliey Ending how difagreeable his method of raifing money had been to the people, advifed the king to convoke a parliament, which met in Black-Friars on the fifteenth day of April. The clergy affembling in convocation at the fame Tranfa<»- time, Wolfey demanded a fubfidy of half their re- £^M venue, payable in five years ; and though this exorbitant demand was oppofed by Fox and FiQier, bifhops of Winchefter and Rochefter, the aflembly was fo intimidated by his great power, and vindictive difpofition, that they complied with his requefl. Having carried his point in the convo- cation, he harrangued the houfe of commons upon the injuries which the king had fuffered at the hands of Francis, the neeeflity of engaging in a war with that monarch ; and concluded with afking one fifth of all lay-effects, payable in four years. This extraordinary demand, though inforced by Sir Thomas More the fpeaker, met with great oppo- fition •, yet after obftinate debates, the commons agreed, That every man poffeffed of twenty pounds and upwards, of yearly rent, mould pay two (hil- lings in the pound ; and the reft pofleffing above two pounds, mould give one milling in the pound ; all under that fum, and above the age of fixteen, •were taxed at four-pence a head, to be payed in two years. The cardinal, incenfed at their reject- ing his propofal, repaired to the houfe, and defired to hear their reafons for refufing his demands : but, they gave him to understand, that they never argued in prefence of ftrangers ; and he thought proper to retire, extremely mortified at his repulfe. Yet the commons, to manifeft their zeal for the king's fer- vice, voted a confiderable addition to the fubfidy. In this parliament, fome ftatutes were enacted in Herb«t, favour 4i6 HIS TORY OF ENGLAND. A. c. 15*3. favour of denifons, who trafficked in the fame commodities that were fold by aliens : for the re- gulation of the coin : for the convenience of foldiers in the king's fervice : for attainting the duke of Buckingham, and reftoring his fon lord Henry Stafford, to his honours and eftate : and, for im- powering the king to repeal attainders, by his let- ters patent. About this time too, Henry inftituted the Col- lege of Phyficians in London, to whom he granted by charter divers privileges, which they enjoy to this day. Pope Adrian prolonged Wolfey's lega- tion for five years, and beftowed upon him the rich bifhopric of Durham, in lieu of Bath and Wells, Kngof " wmcn ne refigned. Chriftian, king of Sweden and Denmark Denmark, being driven out of both kingdoms for lourt of" kis cruelty and opprefllon, arrived in England with England, his queen, who was fifter to the emperor ; and on that account they met with a very honourable re- ception. Henry affected to renew the treaty of al- liance between England and Denmark, as if he had been in actual poffefllon of his dominions ; and after they had received fome valuable prefents, they re- Herbert, turned to Flanders. League a- The expedition againft France was haftened by gainft an incident very unfavourable for Francis. The fjuaa. cjujce Qf Bourbonj conftable of that kingdom, being perfecuted by the king's mother, whofe affection he had flighted, threw himfelf into the arms of the emperor, and the king of England, with whom he engaged in a league offenfive and defenfive, oblig- ing himfelf to act againft Francis in the heart of his dominions, with an army of his own vaflals, rein- forced by feven thoufand Imperialifts, while Charles and Henry mould attack them in Bearne and Pi- Mezerai. cardy. He had ftipulated in this treaty, That after they mould have conquered France, he mould have for his mare Provence erected into a kingdom ; and efpoufc HENRY VIII. efpoufe the emperor's fitter Eleonora, widow of Don Manuel king of Portugal. Francis, who never dreamed of thefe machinations, was wholly employed in making preparations for recovering the dutchy of Milan ; and the pope's heart was fee upon a general war againft the Infidels. For this purpofe he endeavoured to effccT: a truce between the European powers i and the emperor declared, he would willingly affent to the propofal, provided the truce could be fettled for a term of years, du- ring which they ntight have time to execute fome fcheme of importance. Adrian, believing him fin- cere in his profefiions, preffed the king of France to agree that hoflilittes fhould ceafe for three years ; but that prince declined the propofal, becaufe he plainly perceived, that fuch a long truce would enable his enemies to ftrengthen themfclves- in their conqueft of Milan. Then the emperor, and the king of England, perfuaded the pope to interpofe his apoftolical power, in imitation of his prede- ceflbrs •, and Adrian actually published a bull, or- daining a truce for three years .among all the Euro- pean powers, on pain of excommunication and in- terdiction to thofe who fliould difobey his mandate.1 Francis, without paying the leaft regard to this ordinance, continued his preparations, and ordered his forces to file off towards the frontiers of Italy ; and, his holinefs believing, that the obftinacy of the French king was the only obftacle to the exe- cution of his grand fcheme againft the Turks, was infenfibly drawn into a league againft France, with, the emperor, the king of England, Ferdinand arch* duke of Auftria, brother to the emperor, the duke of Milan, the Genosle, and ihe Florentines. The intention of thefe allies was to feduce Francis into Italy, that while he fhould be engaged in the con- queft of Milan, they might attack his dominions in N24q, £e three 418 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A.C. 1522. t]-jree different places. Charles had given orders for levying an army of Spaniards to act in Navarre ; the troops of the Low Countries, joined by a body of Englifh, were deftined for the invafion of Picar- dy ; but they chiefly depended upon the duke of Bourbon's revolt, in the heart of France, of which Francis had not yet the fmalleft fufpicion. That prince undedtanding the defenceJefs con- dition of Milan, which the emperor had purpofely omitted to fecure, fet out for Lyons, in his way to Italy, while the conftable pretended to be fick at Moulins, that he might have an excufe for not attending his fovereign. The king, however, was at length informed by two of his domeftics, that he carried on a private correfpondence with Charles, and repaired directly to Moulins, where he taxed him with this treafonable communication. The duke frankly owned, that the emperor had founded him on the fubject, by the count de Roeulx •, but, that he had rejected his propofals, and intended to have informed his majefty of the tranfaction, as foon as his health fhould have per- mitted him to appear at court. Whether Francis believed his profefilons, or thought it would be dangerous to arreft him in the midit of his own ad- herents, he ordered him to follow him to Lyons, DU Beiiay. and the conftable actually began the journey in a Duke of litter 5 but, underftanding, that two of his confi- Sr«oninto dents were arrefted at court, he retired privately cermLy? from his train with one attendant, and travelling through 'bye- roads, arrived fafely in Germany. Mezerai. The king, fufpecting from his flight, that there was fome dangerous confpiracy in France, poft- poned his departure for Italy, though he fent thi- ther his army, under the conduct of admiral Bonni- vet, .who pa(Ted the Alps about the beginning of September, juft at the fame juncture when the em- .peror aflembled his army in Spain, and the Eng- HENRY VIII. 419 lifh forces arrived at Calais, to act in Picardy in A-C-J5*3- conjunction with the Flemings. the cattle of Milan had now furrendered to Pro- £j£aisnin fper Colonna •, but, the fortifications of the place Be?r°e» were in fuch a ruinous condition, that if Bonnivet, p"gne.hl' with his forty thoufand men, had marched directly to that capital, he would have found the gates open ; but while he amufed himfelf v/ith the reduc- tion of Novaro and Vigevano, the imperial gene- ral, though his troops did not exceed the number of fifteen thoufand, repaired the bulwarks with fuch dexterity and difpatch, that when Bonnivet ap- proached the place, he found it in a condition to fuftain a fiege. Thus difappointed, he potted him- felf at Cheravalla, in hope of intercepting the con- voys of the enemy -, but he took his meafures fo auk ward! y, that he himfelf was obliged to retire for want of pi ovifion. Mean while Colonna dying, was fucceeded in command by Lanoy the viceroy of Naples ; but nothing of moment was tranfact- ed until the duke of Bourbon arrived at the army, with the commiffion of general in chief to the em- peror. In Bearne the Spaniards made a fruitlefs attempt upon Bayonne, and then undertook the fiege of Fontarabia, which they reduced by the treachery of Frauget, the governor. In Cham- pagne, the count dc Furftenburg, with eight thou- fand Landfquenets, took Cony and Monteclair : but was afterwards worfted at Neufchatel by the duke de Guife, who compelled him to retire with precipitation. With refpect to the campaign in Picardy, the king of England fent an army of fix hundred de- milances, two hundred archers on horfeback, three thoufand on foor, five thoufand billmen, and half that number of pioneers, to Calais, under the com- mand of the duke of Suffolk, who draughted as an addition feventeen hundred foldiers from that gar- Ee 2 ritbn; H I S T O R Y of E N G L A N D. 1523. r;fon . and with thefe he made an irruption into thns pope Adrian died, not without fufpi-cion of poiibn, and the conclave was divided between cardinal Colonna and Julio de Medicis, baftard of pope Leo's uncle j. who, after a debate that la-fted fifty days, was unanimouily elected pop?, and aMumed the name of Clement VII> w°ifeyno fooner heard of Adrian's death, than he defined the king to write a letter with- his- ovvn iian(j to the emperor, recommending him in she ftrong.eft man-ner to the papacy : but Charles had HENRY VIII. 421 jkad already taken his meafures in favour of Julio; A c- '5n. and the Englifh cardinal affected to bear his ciifap- pointment with a good grace. Though, in all probability, his heart glowed with revenge againft the emperor, he diffembled his refentment : and the king's refident at Rome was ordered to prefent his compliments of congratulation to the new pope, from whom he obtained a perpetual grant of the legatine power, which had never been conferred Heri«t. lor life upon any other perfon. Henry was not fo engroffed by his war with France, but that he ftill intermeddled in die affairs of Scotland. His aim was to take the advantage of his nephew's minority, in order to fubdue his coun- try ; and, as the greateft obflacle to this defign was the viligance and activity of the duke of Albany, he endeavoured to prevent that nobleman's return from France : lie ordered his admiral to intercept him, if pofiible, in the narrow feas ; and, in the mean time, fent the earl of Surrey with an army, to intimidate his partifans in Scotland. The Eng- lifli forces entered that kingdom accordingly, where they took Jedburgh, and ravaged the neighbour- hood : while ths Scottifh party, whom Henry had bribed to his intereft, inceffantly exclaimed that no- thing could fave the kingdom from total rum, but a peace with England. At length the regent found means to deceive the Englifti admiral, and arrived at Edinburgh; where, convening the nobility, he exhorted them to oppofe the defigns of Henry with vigour and difpatch. Though he found them ge- nerally averfe to his propofal, he affembled an army, and advanced to the frontiers -, but the ma- jority of the Scottifh lords abiblutely refufed to crofs the Englifh border, alledging, that it was fuf- ficient for them to defend their own country from invafion. The duke, extremely mortified ac their refufal, ordered the French auxiliaries to belieg- E e 3 tiie 422 HIST OR Y OF E NG L AND. A.C. 1523. the caftle of Wark, in which they made fome pro-' grefs i and when the breach was thought practi- cable, gave a defperate aiTauit : but they were re- pulfcd v/ith great fiaughter ; and the regent under- ftanding that the earl of Surrey was on his march to attack him with a formidable army, thought pro- per to retire. In the midft of thofe quarrels that divided the powers of Europe, the reformation gained ground in Germany : the canton of Zurich, converted by the preaching of Zuinglius, renounc- ed divers -articles of the Romifh religion •, arjd Luther continued to write in defence of his doc- trine. Among other compofitions he published an anfwer to Henry's performance, in which that prince rinding himfelf abufed with great fcurrility, complained to the Saxon princes of Luther's info- lence, and defired they would prohibit him from publifhing a tranflation of the Bible in the High Dutch language : but his remonftrance produced very little effect. A c , „ The war in Italy continued with various fuccefs; the new pope refufed to renew the league in which his predeceflbr had been engaged ; but prornifed to obferve an exact neutrality. The duke of Bourbon being reinforced by fix thoufand Landfqnenets, and a body of Venetians, reduced the caftle of Cre- mona, and obliged Bonnivet to repafs the Alps, when all the places poffefTed by the French in the of the Milanefe furrendered to the Imperialifts. Then the duke, by the direction of the emperor, and the king of England, entered Provence, where he made himfelf mailer of Aix, and fome other places, and undertook the liege of Marfeilles ; which, how- ever, he was fain to raife at the approach of Fran- cis, with an army of forty thoufand men. The duke of Bourbon being obliged to retreat into Italy, Francis refolved to march forthwith into the Mi- lanefe by a fhorter rout j and the conftable being apprifed HENRY VIII. 423 apprifed of his defign, redoubled his diligence, in A c '5av order to fruftrate his intention. Both armies reach- ed the ducchy on the lame day ; then the duke, being joined by the viceroy of Naples ac Pavia, threw ftrong garrifons into that city and Alexan- dria ; and as the plague raged at Milan, retired to Soncino. Francis now took pofleffion of Milan without oppofuion, and undertook the fiege of Pa- via in the beginning of November. By this time he had detached the Venetians and Florentines from the intereft of Charles : and now he engaged in a fecret treaty with the pope, who obliged himfclf to grant a free pafiage to his troops, deltined for the conqueft of Naples. He accordingly in the fpring fent thither a detachment of five or fix thoufand men, under the command of the duke of Albany, who had then quitted Scotland -, and though the pope feigned to oppofe thim at firft, he admitted them into the heart of his dominions, and then publifhed his accommodation with the French king as the effect of compulfion. The emperor, not- 9uicclaidi' withftanding his natural phlegm, was incenfed at Mt the defection of his holinefs, and even threatened revenge ; though Clement's league with Francis, in a great meafure, contributed to the fuccefs of the imperial arms, as it induced Francis to divide his forces and weaken his army. Mean while the court of England feemed to adopt new maxims. Henry made no diverfion in Picardy ; he difcontinued the payment of the fub- fidy he had granted to the duke of Bourbon -, and even demanded reimburfement of the money he had lent to the emperor at his departure from Eng- land. Charles was alarmed at thefe concurring circumftances, which feemed to indicate an aliena- tion in Henry ; and his fufpicion was confirmed when he received intelligence from his ambaflfador in England, that a perlbn, fent by the dutcheis of E e 4 Angoukme, 424 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A.C. 1524. Angouleme, regent of France, had long and fre- fnatobe" quent conferences with cardinal Wolfey. He no. alienated longer doubted that this vindictive prelate, whom Softs* he had twice 'difobliged in the affair of the papacy, emperor. would periuade the king of England to abandon his caufe, and engage in a league with his enemy. He foreiaw that the cardinal would be feconded in his endeavours by the pope, who now payed great refpect to the court of England. He confirmed the title of Fidei Defenfor, which the king had ob- tained from Leo -, at the defire of Wolfey, he fup- preffed the monaftery of St. Fridefwide inOxford, oa which foot the cardinal intended to found a college, Aft. Pub. an(3 endow it with the revenues of the convent. He, in the courfe of this fame year, iflued another bull, impowering the cardinal to fupprefs as many mo- nafteries as he mould think proper, to raife the yearly rent of three thoufand ducats for the fame purpofe •, and, in the month of December, he, with the king's confent, appointed cardinal Lau- rentius Campejus, bifhop of Salifbury. A c j ^ The French king Hill perfifled in carrying on the fiege of Pavia, though his operations were very much impeded by the rigour of the feafon ; and his convoys v/ere greatly interrupted by the impe- rial army, which had taken poft at CafTano. At ljngih the duke of Bourbon, who had gone to Germany for a reinforcement, arrived with eleven thoufand men, an addition which rendered the Im- perialifis more numerous than the French; and, On the twenty Hftfi day of February, he attacked the camp of Francis, who was totally routed, and Tnntitt. i» taken prifoner. This unexpected event produced ri-0^ great alteration in the politics of the European the princes. The kingdom of France was overwhelm- tde ed w^n. conftcr-nation, and muft have been totally reined, if the emperor had followed his blow, and the king of England iictcd in Picardy. But Charles 6 was HENRY VIII. 425 was now become fo formidable, that the other prin- *• c- '5*5« ces began to deliberate upon the formation of a league to counterpoile his greatnefs. The Vene- tians, in particular, no fooner were informed of the battle of Pavia, than they propofed fuch an alliance to the pope. But he preferred his own intereft to the public caufe, and concluded a feparate treaty with the viceroy of Naples, who acted in the name of the emperor. Mean while Charles affected to re- ceive the tidings of his victory with great modera- tion ; and even pretended to fympathize with the misfortunes of Francis, who was conveyed to Spain, and committed cloie prifontr to the caftle of Ma- drid, not but that he had already propofed condi- tions of peace to Francis, which that monarch reject- ed as oppreffive and didionourable. His filler, the clmchefs of Alencon, arrived at the place of his confinement, with full powers from her mother the regent, to negotiate a peace ^ but the emperor in- (ided upon fuch terms as were judged unreafonable, and the captive king delivered to his filler a writ- ing figned with his own hand, by which he order- ed the ftates of France to crown his fon the dau- phin. The parliament of Paris, however, did not think this mandate, which was called the edict of Madrid, a fufficient authority to contravene the laws of the realm, in an affair of fuch importance. Charles, at bottom, was void of generosity, integri- ty, and companion. He inherited the phlegm of DU Bdiay, Maximilian, and the fraud of Ferdinand. He a- mufed Francis with a vague negotiation, and refuf- ed to ratify the treaty which his viceroy had con- cluded with the pope. Though he re admitted Sforza into the pofleffion of Milan, according to his ftipulations with the allies, he, by means of his general in Italy, feduced him into a confpiracy, -which afforded a pretence for depriving him of his dominions. The Venetians, v/ho were refolved to MCZW the noblemen and cities obliged themfdves by 430 HISTORY OP ENGLAND. A.C i5is. by letters patent to obferve them -, and Francis I. fent a ratification of them under his own hand, in a writing dated on the twenty-feventh day of De- cember. Nor did the regent of France forget the good offices of cardinal Wolfey on this occafion. She obliged herfelf to pay the arrears of the penfion which had been fettled upon him in lieu of the ad- miniftration of the biihopric of Tournay •, and, for other good reafons, promifed to gratify him with one hundred thoufand crowns of gold. This prefent helped to confole him for the anxie- ty he had lately experienced from the king's difplea- fure. Money being wanted for the occafions of government, Wolfey, inftead of applying to parlia- ment, where he had already fuffered a repulfe, ifTued a decree, in the king's name, to levy through the whole kingdom, one fixth of all lay revenues, and a fourth of the clergy's effects. This was confider- ed as fuch a flagrant infraction of the Magna Char- ta, that it excited univerfal clamour over the whole nation, and had well nigh produced a rebellion. The king being informed of the commotions among his people, publifhed a proclamation, difavowing the commiflions expedited in his name, declaring, that he would never exact any thing of his people by compulfion ; and demanding nothing but what they mould pleafe to contribute in the way of bene- volence, an expedient which had been pradtifed in the reign of the fourth Edward. This, however, was no other than an artifice, to extort, under ano- ther name, what the fubjects refufed to give under that of a decree or commiffion ; for certain fums were demanded at the king's pleafure j fo that the benevolence was equivalent to a grievous taxation. The magiftrates of London refufed to comply with the impofition, alledging, that the expedient of be- nevolence had been aboliflied by Richard III. The cardinal replied, that Richard was a tyrant and HENRY' vin. 431. and ufurper, whofe laws ought to have no effect A. 0.15*5. upon the prerogative. He tampered in fecret with the mayor and aldermen ; yet, before he could ei- ther cajole or intimidate them into a compliance, an infurrection happened in the neighbourhood of London ; but the infurgents were foon quelled* and fome of them committed to prifon. The king thinking it necefTary to demonftrate, that he had no intention to opprefs the people, declared in council that no perfon fhould be punimed for this infurrec- tion ; and the prifoners were difcharged, after hav- ing appeared at the council-board, and been'fevere- ly rebuked for their infolence. The cardinal affec- ted to become bound for their future good behavi- our ; and endeavoured to juftify his conduct, by faying, he had done nothing but by the advice of the judges. - It was no fooner known, that the king Woifey ;• did not approve of all the cardinal's proceedings, ffSff^" than a great number of complaints was exhibited g«ced. againft that prelate. Allen his chaplain, and in- ftrument of oppreflion, was fo vigoroufly profecut- ed in a court of judicature, for his extortion, that the affair became the fubject of general converfa - tion j and at length reached the ears of Henry, who took fome pains to inform himfelf of the particu- lars. In the courfe of this inquiry, he obtained a full view of the unpopular fide of Wolfey's admi- niftrauon ; and was fo incenfed, that he had well nigh diverted that minifter of his favour and em- ployments. Ignorant as he was of the cardinal's oppreffive conduct, he had imagined that the peo- ple thought themfelves extremely happy under his mild government-, but, now he was difabufed, and gave way to the tranfports of his choler, which the minifter could not appeafe without the moft abjeft fubmiflions. He produced his will, in which he had bequeathed all his riches to the king v and ac length^ found means to penfuade him, that all the 43* HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A. c. 1525. excefles he had committed in the exercife of his au-« thority, were owing to his defire of augmenting his majefty's inheritance. This ftorm was no fooner overblown, than he removed from the king's car all thofe whom he fufpe&ed of difaffection to his intereft; and the palace of Hampton- court being juft finiflied at his expence, he prefented it to his matter, who gave him Richmond in exchange, to - gether with the warmeft affurances of uninterrupted affection. About this period the king created his natural fon Henry Fitzroy, duke of Richmond and Somerfet, earl of Nottingham, lieutenant-gene- ral beyond the Trent, warden of the borders* and afterwards admiral of England, though he was but fix years of age. Having no legitimate fon, he ex- preffed the utmoft tendernefs for this child, who was the fruit of an amour with Mrs. Elizabeth Blount, a young lady of extraordinary accomplifh- ments. In the beginning of this year, the go- vernment of Scotland, which fmce the departure of the duke of Albany, remained in the hands of the earl of Angus, lent the earl of Caffils with other ambafiadors into England, to treat of the marriage between the young king and the prin- cefs Mary, a match with which Henry had for ibme time amufed the Scottifh adminiftration. As divers difficulties occurred, the truce between the two nations was prolonged from January to March, that the earl might have time to return to his own country for frefh inftrucYions -, but as Hen- ry was never in earneft upon this fubjedb, the ne- gotiation produced no effect. The league of Moore infpired the regent of France with frelh courage, and in a great mea- fure, influenced the conduct of the pope and Ve- netians : the emperor recalled his ambafiadors from England ; and in a little time concluded his mar- riage waft Ifabella of Portugal. The pope find- ing HENRY VIII. 433 ing himfelf (till duped by Charles, gave him to un- A- c- J5as. derftand, that no peace was to be expected without the re-eftablifhment of Sforza in the Milanefe j and indeed, he was now on the eve of a' war, in which he would have been unable to cope with fuch a number of powerful antagonifts. This confidera- At c< J526> tion coft him great uneafmefs and perplexity, from which however he was foon relieved by the impati- ence of Francis, who, growing more and more Francs con- tired of confinement, gave up the great point ^" ^ith which had hitherto retarded the pacification. This the emperor was the dutchy of Burgundy, and the fupremacy at Madli of Flanders and Artois, which, by the treaty of Madrid, he ceded to the emperor, obliging himfelf moreover, to marry that prince's fitter Eleonora: to renounce his pretenfions to Naples, Milan, Ge- noa, Ath, Tournay, Lifle, and Hefdin: to per- 'Aft. Pub. fude Henry D'Albret to give up the kingdom of Navarre to Charles: to re-eftablilh the duke of Bourbon, the prince of Orange, and Anthony dc Saluces, in pofleffion of their territories : to pay two millions of crowns for his ranfom, befides five hundred thoufand crowns which the emperor owed to the king of England : to accommodate Charles Guicciwtf^ with twelve gallies, four great fhips of war, and ani' land-army, when he mould repair to Rome, in or- der to receive the imperial crown, or two hundred thoufand crowns in lieu of the army : and to give his two fons as hoftages for the performance of thefe articles. He likewife promifed, upon the faith and word of a king, that he would either ra- tify the treaty in France, or return to the place of his confinement. On thefe conditions he was fet at F^nchi* liberty, and conducted to the frontiers of Spain by fet cllbertir' Lanoy, viceroy of Naples, who attended him to Bourdeaux ; and preffed him to perform his pro- mile. His firft care was to ratify the treaty of Moore, concluded with the king of England j bur, NUMB. L, F f that 434 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A. c. 1516- ^at of Madrid he renounced as the effect of cum- pulfion. Neverthelefs, he offered to pay two mil- lions of crowns in lieu of the dutchy of Burgundy, which he faid he could not alienate i and to per- form every other article of the engagement. This propofal was rejected by Charles, who hoped he would one day be glad to retrieve his children, who were hoftages, by a literal execution of the treaty. gagTsTnT" Mean while, the ambaffadors of the pope and the if dgufe with Venetians, waited upon Francis at Cognac, where the "wneti- the three powers concluded a league againft the em- 8fts- peror, in which the duke of Milan was compre- hended. His holinefs and the republic of Venice, depending upon the afliftance of France and Eng- land, fent an army into the field under the com- mand of the duke D'Urbino, who fuffered the caftle of Milan to be taken by the Imperialifts, mif- carried in an attempt upon Genoa, and acted with great indifference in the caufe of his conftituents. Mean while, the duke de Seffo the Spanifh ambaf- fador at Rome, and Hugh de Moncada, who com- manded the imperial troops in the kingdom of Na- ples, mitigated the Colonna2 againft the pope ; and they entered the city of Rome by furprize, at the cuicciardi- jieac{ o£ flx tnoufand men. Clement was fo terri- fied at this unexpected aflault, that he took fhelter in the caftle of St. Angelo ; and was obliged to conclude a truce for four months with the emperor, before he could be rid of fuch troublefome guefts. He and the Venetians expected, that in confequence of the treaty of Cognac, the kings of France and England would act vigoroufly againft Charles ; but now they found themfelves duped by the French king, whole fole view in concluding and publiming the treaty was to intimidate the emperor into a s-mdovai. compliance with his propofal. Even after the pope and Venetians had declared war againft Charles, he fent the archbilhop of Bourdeaux to repeat HENRY VIII. 4?5 repeat the offer of two millions for Burgundy ; A. c. 1526. which the emperor rejected with difdain, defir- ing the ambaffador would tell his mafter, he had acted bafely and wickedly; and that he ought not to have forgot the laft converfation that pafled be- tween them at Madrid. His affairs had lately re- fumed a more favourable afpect in Italy ; the baron de Frond fperg had marched thither, at the head of forty tboufarid men railed in Germany ; and Lanoy had arrived at Naples with a body of Spanifh troops. Clement, and the Venetians, exhaufted all their art who err- and eloquence to engage the king of England in the ™ \^r'y league of Cognac: they tried to flatter his vanicy in "the fame with the title of Protector, hoping, that he would a'; '""' as formerly fquander away his wealth for the inte- reft of his neighbours ; but, time and experience had ripened his underftanding, and the treafure left by his father was already expended : he was loth to forego the tranquility which he enjoyed ; and his favourite was wholly engrofied with the foundation of his college at Oxford. Neverthelefs, Henry be- A£h Pub< ing informed of the pope's neceffities, which in all probability might oblige him to make peace with the emperor, furniftied him with thirty thoufand ducats, which enabled him to maintain his forces under the duke D'Urbino; although, at the fame time, he continued to treat of a feparate peace with the viceroy of Naples. His maxim was to have always two firings to his bow; but, on this occa- fion he refined too much in his politics. The duke of Bourbon being in want of money A-c- fs»7« for the fubfiftence of his troops, left ieven thoufond Germans in Milan, under the command of Antonio de Ley va, and joined Frondfperg in th« Plaifantin, while the viceroy of Naples marched with his Spa- niards to the frontiers of the ecclefiaftical ftate, in order to make a diverfion, and oblige the pope to recal his troops under the duk? D'Urbino, Cls- F f 2 ment, 436 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A. c, .527. jyjent, being apprifed of Bourbon's march, conclud- ed a truce for eight months with the viceroy, oblig- ing himfelf to pay a certain fum to the duke of Bourbon ; and then difbanded the greated part of his army, before he knew the fennments of the duke himfelf, who was in his full march to Bolog- na. That prince refufed to ratify the truce, be- eaufe the fum dipulated was not fufficient for the payment of his forces ; fo that another agreement was made -, and the pope difmified all the reft of his foldiers, that he might not be incumbered with an unneceflary expence. Notwithftanding this con- vention, the duke of Bourbon fuddenly began his march -for Rome, which v/as immediately filled with condernation. Renzo de Ceri, in this emer- gency, undertook to raife an army within the city, that mould defend it againft all infults; and Cle- ment trading to his prornife, took no other mea- fures for his own perfonal fafety. The duke of Bour- bon arriving in the neighbourhood, pretended his rout was to Naples ; and fent a trumpet to the pope, to demand a pafifage through the city. This being refufed, he next morning approached by favour of a tlwk fog; and ordered his army to dorm a breach, which the Romans had not found time to repair. In the beginning of the attack he was killed by a mufket-(hot •, but, the prince of Orange ordering a cloak to be thrown over his body, continued the afiault until the breach was forced •, and the Impe- The pcpe is rialids made a lodgment in the fuburbs. Then fo»^Pand the pope retired to the caftls of St. Angelo, with Rome lack- thirteen cardinals, fome foreign ambalTadors, and ilpcrilufts. feveral perfons of didindion. Mean while, the German troops lacked the city, and committed ter- rible outrages. The army of the allies, under the duke D'Urbino, arrived in the neighbourhood, cnjcciai- jDUt retjrecj without having made the lead attempt for the relief of bis holinefs, who finding himfelf in HENRY VIII. 437 in danger of being ftarved, capitulated with the A- c »5*7' prince of Orange-, and was put into the cuftody of Alarcon, who had guarded Francis in his captivity. This confinement of the pope was advantageous to ieveral princes and ftates of Italy. The duke of Ferrara made himfelf mafter of Modena ; the Ve- netians feized Ravenna and Servia •, Sigifmund Malatefta furprifed Rimini ; and the Florentines recovered their liberty, after having expelled the pope's legate. Had the imperial army proceeded immediately to reduce Bologna, and the towns of Romagna, the emperor would have been rendered invincible in Italy ; but they were fo eager after plunder, that they neglected their mailer's affairs, and allowed Francis to lend troops over the Alps, in order to flop their progrefs. That monarch had at length J^*(J!**tjr prevailed upon the king of England, to engage France and with him in a league offensive and defenfive againft Eneland' Charles. Henry had fent Sir William Fitzwilliams to France, in order to fignify his aflent to the pro- pofal, and offer his daughter Mary in marriage to Francis, who joyfully embraced this overture. A negotiation was begun by the bifhop of Bath and Wells, the Englifh ambafladorat Paris, aflifted by Sir William Fitzwilliams ; but, fome difficulties occurring, Francis fent a folemn embafiy to Lon- don, where his plenipotentiaries treated with the cardinal, who was appointed the king's commif- fioner for this purpofe. Three treaties were con- cluded, importing, That the two kings mould fend ambaflfadors to the emperor with reafonable offers, ' touching the releafe of the hoftages, and a demand of the fums he owed to the king of England -, to which, Ihould he fail in returning an acceptable anfwer, within twenty days, they mould declare war againft him without further delay : That the princefs Mary fhould be given in marriage to Fran- F f 3 cjs, 438 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A.C. 1517- cis, or to his fon the duke of Orleans, as he fhould think proper : That the war fhould be carried on conjunct! y in the Low Countries, according to a cer- tain ftipulated proportion; and, That a fleet fhould be equipped at their joint- expence, to diftrefs the enemy by fea : That the king of Portugal, or any other prince, efpoufmg the caufe of Charles, fhould be deemed and declartd an enemy : That the pope and Venetians fhould be comprehended in the league, on condition of their maintaining the war in Italy : That Henry fhould renounce, for himfeif and fuccefTors, all right and pretenfions to the crown or territories of France ; in confideration of which cefiion, Francis and his fucceilbrs fhould pay to all furceeding kings of England, a perpetu- al penfion of fifty thoufand crowns, to commence at the death of Henry, who was already intituled to two millions by the treaty of Moore ; and that, over and above this penfion, Francis fhould furnifli the king of England annually with fait of Broiiage to the value of fifteen thoufand crowns : That this treaty ihould be approved and figned by the arch- biihops, biihops, princes, dukes, counts, barons, and other noblemen of both kingdoms, whofe names were fpecified in the article, by the parlia- ments of Paris, Tholoufe, Rouen, and Bourdeaux, as well as by all the courts of judicature in Eng- land; and confirmed by the flates of France and England, as a perpetual and inviolable conftitution. Aa. Pub. ^he news of the pope's captivity arriving foon af- ter the conclufion of thefe treaties, the parties a- greed, that inftead of carrying on the war in the JLo\v Countries, they fhould aft fole-ly in Italy, and as Englifh troops could not be tranfported in- to that country without great trouble, time, and expence, the French king took upon himfeif the maintenance of the war, on condition of Henry's paying a certain monthly fubfidy. Thefe HENRY VIII. 439 Thefe treaties being ratified, the king of Eng- A c 'sw land fentSir Francis Poyntz to Spain, to demand of The emp* Charles, that as he had been at half the expence of oveZ^tc the war, he fhould have half the booty taken at Pa- the king Of via, together with one of the hoftages of Francis ; Enila^m and Clarencieux the herald, accompanied this envoy in difguife, that he might denounce war, in cafe of a refufal. Charles, who plainly perceived that Henry wanted nothing but a pretext for a rupture, refoived, if poffible, to gain time. He anfwered with great gravity, that the mefTage being of great importance, he would deliberate with himfelf upon the nature of it ; and fignify his determination by a letter to the king of England. This procraftina- Herbert. tion being deemed equivalent to a repulfe, Francis ordered Lautrec to begin his march with the forces ;deftined for Italy : and cardinal Wolfey fet out for the continent, in order to confer with the French king at Amiens. He arrived at Calais on the eleventh day of July, and repaired to Abbeville, with a train of one thoufand horfe gaily caparifon- ed. He was received on the frontiers of France with the fame honours that would have been payed to the king of England. Francis complimented him with letters -patent, impowering his great friend the cardinal to releafe the prifoners in all the places through which he pafifed, except fuch as were con- fined for treafon, rape, and murder. While he waited at Abbeville until the king of France fhould come to Amiens, he received a memorial from the emperor, who now feemed defirous of a pacification. The king of France had offered to execute the treaty of Madrid, provided Francis Sforza mould be re-eftablilhed in poffcffion of Milan. That Charles fbould receive, in lieu of Burgundy, two millions of golden crowns, fend queen Eleonora with the two hoftages to France, allowing that princefs a dower in proportion to the great fum he F f 4 was 44o HISTORY or ENGLAND. A. c. 1527. was to touch ; and pay what he owed to the king; of England. To thefe propefitions the emperor now replied, That his right to Burgundy fhould remain in full force as before the treaty of Madrid : That all the articles of that treaty fhould be exe- cuted, except fuch as he fhould now confent to wave : That he hop.'d the king of England, and the lord legate, would prevail upon the French king to augment the fum of two millions he had offered ; at leaft, he infilled upon its being payed, over and above what he (Charles) owed to the king of England, a debt which Francis had bound himfelf to difcharge j and befides the reftitution of the effects belonging to the late duke of Bour- bon, as it was but reafpnable that his heirs fhould receive the benefit of this treaty : That the queen his filler fhould be fent to France with the hcftages, as foon as the- other articles could be executed ; That Francis Sforza being accufed of treafon, the emperor would appoint competent judges to try that nobleman ; and, in cafe of his being found in- nocent, he fhould be re-efbbiilhed in his dutchy ; but, if convicted, the ftate of Milan mould remain at the difpcfal of the emperor, according to juflice and reafon : and laftly, That the king.of England Sandr.yai. fhould btcome a guarantee of the treaty. He moreover demanded, That: Francis would indem- nify hirn for the expences to which he had been ex- pofed from the league that monarch had formed againft him, leaving the eflimation of that expence to the king of England, who was perfectly well ac- quainted with the nature of all their t ran factions. He faid, he ilill conndercd the legate as his friend -y he declared liimfelf fo well tiifpofed towards a paci- jication, that if the king of England fhould think Jiis propefals unreafpnable, he. would mike greater conceifions for him than for any prince in Europe ; and as a mark of his fmgular efteem for that mo- narch, defired that all th,e world would afcribe to him . HENRY VIII. , . 44.1 him the glory of having effected the accommoda- A- c- 's3?' tion. Thefe advances were rejected by the kings of France and England, who were now bent upon the prdfecution of the war ; and the cardinal meeting Francis at Amiens, three new treaties were con- cluded to the following effect : That the duke of Orleans fiiould efpoufe the princefs Mary ; and the treaty of Moore remain in full force : That the kingof England fhould form no claim upon Francis for the money he fhould expend in the war of Italy i but pay a certain contribution and proportion to the numberof troops which the French king fliould main- tain in that country. The fecond treaty related to trade, and fpecified certain privileges, which Francis granted to the Englifh. merchants. In the third, the two kings agreed that they would never con- fent to the convocation of a general council, dur- ing the pope's captivity : that they would receive no bull, brief, or mandate, from his holinefs, until he (hould be fet at liberty ; but, in the mean time, punctually execute every thing that fhould be de- termined in England by the cardinal legate, with the concurrence of the clergy ; and, in France, by the principal members of the Gallican church. Thefe conventions being ratified, the contracting parties thought proper to make fome anM-er to the propofitions of the emperor. Francis kill infifted upon the re-eftablifhment of Sforza, and thereleafe of the hoflages : while Henry in a formal manner, demanded payment of the fums which Charles had mS MI borrowed of himfelf and his father ; together with five hundred thoufand crowns, which he had en- gaged to forfeit, in cafe he fhould not efpoufe the princefs Mary : he likewife infifted upon being in- demnified by Charles for the arrears of the penfion due to him from France, according to a ftipula- tion in the treaty of Windfor i and laftly, he re- quired 442 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A. c. i5z7 qU;recj hjm not only to releafe his holinefs, but alfo to make good the damage he had fuflained from the imperial forces. To thefe demands the emperor anfwered, That he had never denied the debt he owed to the king of England : that he would in- form that monarch, by letter, of his reafons for thinking himfelf acquitted of the penalty upon the contract of marriage ; and that he had already lent orders to Italy to let the pope at liberty. This was not the firft time that Henry had inter- pofcd in behalf of Clement; who, together with his thirteen fellow prifoners, had, in letters, folli- cited the king's protection. Henry had written in their behalf to Charles, who anfwered in general terms, That he would do all that lay in his power for the fatisfaction of the king of England : but, he had, by this time, refolved to convey Clement to Spain, where he thought he could manage Kim more for his advantage, than while he remain- ed in Italy ; and, in the mean time, he carried his deceit to fuch a ridiculous length, as to order pub- lic prayers to be put up for the deliverance of his holinefs. At the lame time he endeavoured to ex- cite jealoufy and diftruft between the kings of France and England. He propofed to ihe cardinal a match between Henry's natural fon, the duke of Richmond, and Ifabella, princefs of Portugal, to whom he offered to give the dutchy of Milan as a dower ; and the king affected to be pleafed with the propofal, for his own convenience. But it was not in the power of the emperor to fhake the good underftanding between him and Francis; who, about this time, fenc Anne de Montmorcncy, v/ith the order of St. Michael, to his new ally ; and Henry, in return, complimented him with the gar- ter, by the hands of Arthur vifcount de Lifie, na- •-;: }M\ tnral fon of the fourth Edward. Charles likevvife attempted to gam over the cardinal by advantage - 4 OUS H E N R Y VIII. 443 ous offers : but Wolfey was too far engaged with A> c- '52r« Francis to retreat ; or he was determined at all chari« events to be revenged on the emperor, by whom he 3^rdj had been twice deceived ; and perhaps the king's nai divorce from Catherine was already refolved upon, in which cafe he could not pofiibly efpoufe the in- tereft of Charles. Certain it is, the cardinal, in a letter to the king, dated on the thirty firft day of Auguft, told him it was already reported in Spain, that his majefty intended to obtain a divorce, and counfelled him to fend orders to his ambafladors in that country, to ftifle the rumour as foon as pedicle, by alledging it had no other foundation than fome fcruples exprefied by the bifhop of Tarbe, on the fubjedt of the projected match between the duke of Orleans and the princefs Mary, as if there had been fome room to doubt her legitimacy. :tf>ert' We have already faid that the imperial army A/Fairs of loitered away their time in Rome, and that neigh- Italf- bourhood, where they were greatly diminifhed by excefies and the plague ; and, with great difficulty, governed by the prince of Orange, whom they had chofen general, at the death of the duke of Bour- bon : we have alfo obferved that Francis had feat Lautrec into Italy, to command the forces of a league, in which he had engaged with the Vene- tians. Andrea Doria, who commanded the French gallies, reduced Genoa under the dominion of Francis, in the beginning of the campaign ; and Lautrec, being joined by the marquis de Saluces, made himfelf matter of Vigevano, Alexandria, and Pavia. Then he began his march for Naples, was GU;CC:^ admitted into Parma and Placentia ; the duke of dni. Ferrara declared for France, and his example was foon followed by the duke of Mantua. The em- peror had fent an order to the viceroy of Naples to releafe the pope, on condition that he Ihould give fecurity for paying the arrears of the army, and de- taching 444 HISTORY or ENGLAND. A. c. 1527. taching himfelf from the league ; but, as he had no fuch fecurity to grant, the negotiation proceed- ed very {lowly. However, the French general ad- vancing towards Naples, Moncada, who acted for the emperor, at length concluded the treaty, im- porcing, that the pope Ihould not act againft the emperor in the affairs of Milan and Naples -t hue grant him a crufade in Spain, and a tenth in his Other dominions ; and confent to his keeping Ci- vita-Vecchia, Oftia, Cita, Caftellana, and the cattle of Furli : That his holinefs mould pay in ready money fixty-feven thoufand crowns to the German, and half that fum to the Spanim troops ; and in a certain time make up the reft of what was due to the emperor, amounting to three hundred and fifty thoufand crowns^ that, in the mean time lie mould be conducted to a place of fafety without the walls of Rome, and give hoftages for the per- formance of articles. The treaty being figned, and the cardinals Cefi and Orfmo delivered by way of fuieties, the pope was brought from the caftle of St. Angeto, in order to be conducted to another place ; but, as he was afraid of being detained for a confiderable length of time, becaufe he knew it was not in his power to execute the articles, he efr Coiceiar- caped in difguife to Orvietto, and renounced the dini- treaty as the eflect of compulfion. It was during the pope's confinement, that king Henry firft declared his intention of being divorced from his wife Catherine, though, in all probability, the refolution was taken before this period j in- afmuch as we find, by the cardinal's letter to the king, that the report was current in Spain, while he continued at Abbeville. Some hiftorians, in order to blacken the character of Henry, and tar- 'nifh the merit of the reformation in England, have reprefrnted the king's pretended icruples as the ef • feft of his paffion for Anne Boleyn, daughter of Sir HENRY VIII. 449 Sir Tht>mas Bokyn, a young lady who had been A. c. i527. educated in France; and was at this juncture a maid of honour to queen Catherine. They like- wife have, with great virulence, endeavoured to de- preciate her perfon and her morals ; and, in the courfe of their contumely, fallen into divers in- confiftenries, which have been detected and expofed by authors of more credit and veracity. Thefe have B not only refuted her calumniators, but alfo proved Herblri. that Henry was determined upon the divorce before Anne Boleyn returned to England. The king had an ingredient of fuperftition in his character, and could not help imputing the death of his two fons to the difpleafure of God Almighty, at his inceftu- ous marriage with his brother's widow. He was extremely defirous of male iflue, that all difputes about the fucceffion might be prevented, He was ftartled at the obfervation of the bifhop of Tarbe, who exprefTed fome doubts about his daughter's legitimacy : he was tired of poffeffing Catherine, who was not miftrtfs of many perfonal attractions : he was a prince of impetuous paffions, and longed to be united with a lady of more endearing qualifi- cations, by whom he might be blefled with male ififue, againft whofe legitimacy no plaufible excep- tions could be taken. His fcruplesof confcience, firft raifed by the writings of Thomas Aquinas, were encouraged by Wolfey, v/ho hated the queen, becaufe fhe had exprefied her difapprobation of his loofe and libertine way of living -, and he was actuated by revenge againft her nephew the em- peror, who had twice baffled him in his defigns upon the papacy. Henry thought he could never find a more favourable conjuncture to fue for a di- vorce than the prefent ; when the emperor's power was become formidable to all the princes in Chrif- lendom, and the pope's deliverance depended in a peculiar manner upon the affiftance and interpofi- tion 4+6 HIS TO RYop ENGLAND. A,c.»5»7. tion of England and her allies: perhaps too his conduct was influenced by the beamy of Anne Boleyn, who now began to be diftinguifhed above all her cotemporaries. He foiii- Be that as it may, he himfelf profefied fcruples v;l«afrom o£ confcience, and defired, that archbifhop War- fciswifeCa- ham, who had at firft declared againft the mar- thcnne. riagc, fhould confuit the bifhops of England upon the fubjecl. The prelate complied with his requeft ; and prefented him with a writing, in which they condemned the marriage as a contrail: contrary to public decency, and the divine law. This declara- tion was fubfcribed by all the prelates, except Fifher bifhop of Rochefter, whofe name is faid to have been counterfeited by cardinal Wolfey. The writings of Luther had by this time produced fuch a fpirit of inquiry in England, that the people openly affirmed, the difpenfation for the marriage granted by pope Julius II. could never juftify, or confoli- - date a marriage fo notorioufly oppofite to the law of God. This would have been a very fufficient reafon for diflblving the match in the eye of equi- ty ; but, it would have been a very imprudent ftep in Henry, to folicit a favour of the court of Rome, by feeking to invalidate the authority of a Roman pontiff: he therefore endeavoured to find nullities in the bull of Julius, by which it would be rendered revocable by the maxims of the holy fee. The bull been had founded on the requeft of Henry and Catherine, on the fuppofition, that their marriage was neceflary to preferve peace be- tween Spain and England. Now Henry, being then but twelve years of age, could not be fup- jpofed to have fuch politic views ; whence it was inferred, that he was not really author of the re- queft. Befides, the fituation of affairs at that time was fuch, as proved the marriage was un- necefiary for the prefervation of the peace between England HENRY VII*. 447 England and Spain i confequently, pope Julius A c- !5a?' had been deceived: and laftly, it was follicired as the means of maintaining a good underftanding between Ferdinand and liabella, and Henry VII. whereas, at the confumrnation, Ifabella and Henry VII. were not alive. It was moreover, alledged, that Henry VII L in having protefled againft his marriage before it was confum mated, gave up the liberty granted to him by the bull ; and therefore another was neceflary to render his marriage valid. The king having found thefe fubterfuges to ferve as a pretext for Clement to revoke the difpenfa- tion of his predeceflbr, lent Knight his fecretary to Rome, with four papers to be figned by his holi- nefs. The firft was a commifTion to cardinal Wolfey, to judge and determine the affair, in. conjunction with fome Englifh biftiops. The fe- cond was a decretal bull, annulling the marriage between the king and Catherine, as the nuptials of that princefs with his brother Arthur had been previoufly confummated. The third contained a difpenfation for Henry's marrying another wife. And in the fourth, the pope engaged never to re- voke the other three. Knight, at his arrival in Rome, being denied admittance to the pope, who was ftrictly guarded by a Spanifh captain, found means to convey a memorial, containing the heads of his commifiion, to his holinefs, who returned a favourable anfwer, though the emperor had already defired he would take no flep in that affair without firft imparting it to his miniflers. Cardinal Wol- fey, in a letter to Gregorio Cafali, the Englim am- bafiador at Rome, ordered him to fecond the en • deavours of Knight •, and they waited on Clement after his retreat to Orvietto. He promifed to exert himfelf for the fatisfaction of the king; but, begged the affair might not be precipitated. He was at is mvf-d this juncture uncertain, whether he mould have oc- b-v ^pcp* cafion 443 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A c 1527. cafion for the affiftance of Henry, or be able to ef- cuicciar- feet an accommodation with the emperor. He therefore wanted toga in time ; bur was fo hard prefled by the Englifii envoy, to decla-: himfelf, that he promifed to fign the acts, on condition that they Ihould not be produced until after the depar- ture of the French and Germans from Italy. Tho* this condition was accepted, he ftill protracted the affair, on pretence of confulting Lorenzo Pucci, cardinal Sanctorum Quatuor, who being fecured by a largefs of Englifh gold, altered the legate's com- mifficM, which had been defective ; and joined Knight and Cafali, in prefling Clement to fign it Httbot. without further delay. Thus importuned, he put his hand to the commifTion, and the bull of difpen- fation for the king, promifing to fend the other de- cretal bull for diflblving the marriage, to England, after he Ihould have confidered the fubject more maturely. But he dated thofe two acts at the time when he was prifoner in the cattle of St. An- gelo ; fo that Henry did not choofe to make ufe of them, left it mould be objected, that the pope had granted them merely with a view to obtain his li- A.c.15*?. berty by the affiftance of England. Clement had by this time fmarted fo feverely by his oppofition to the emperor, that he abfolutely refufed to re-en- gage in the league with France, England, and Venice. When prefTed on this fubject by the am- baffadors of thofe powers, he obferved, that his junction with the league might expofe him to new misfortunes, without procuring any real advan- tage to their caufe •, and that he was refolved to act as a mediator, rather than involve himfelf as a party. He had by this time formed the defign of re-eftablilhing the family of Medicis in Florence ; and forefaw that fuch a re-eftablifhment could not be effected but by means of the emperor, becaufe the Florentines had joined the allies , but, he would 3 not HENRY Vllt 449 liot declare for Charles until he fhould f?e the fuc- A. c.iS12. cefs of the war between him and the confederates. Every thing now feemed to portend the effufion of blood, ruin, and defolation. The ambafTadors of France and England, refi- rht Freneij ding in Spain, defired permiflidn to retire ; and J^j^lj* next day Glarencieux and Guienne, the heralds cf dire war a- Henry and Francis, pronounced a declaration of "a!nftth* • f r \ f i • emperor ; war, m pretence or the emperor, fitting on his throne, and furrounded by his grandees. In an- fwer to Clarencieux, Charles complained, that the king of England wanted to join him in marriage with a princels whom he intended to baftardize, by obtaining a divorce from her mother : but he laid the whole blame on the exceffive ambition of car- dinal Wolfey, who was difgufted at the emperor, becaufe he would not embroil Chriftendom by en- deavouring to raife him to the papacy. He denied that he had ever refufed to pay the debt he owed to Henry ; but faid, the Englilh ambaflfadors who de- manded the money, had no power to grant a dif- charge. With refpect to the indemnity, he ob- ferved, that the king of France had taken it upon himfelf in the treaty of Madrid. With regard to thefum of five hundred thoufand crowns, which he had obliged himfelf to pay, in cafe he IKould refuie to wed the prmcefs Mary, he declared, that he had demanded her by ambafladors 5 and that her father had not onlv refufed to fend her into Spain, but had even offered her in marriage to the king of Scotland : befides, Henry couU not legally de- mand the fum, until after having proved, that he had executed all the articles of the treaty of Windfor. In his anfwer to the French herald, he loudly. taxed Francis with breach of promife, and defiped Guienne to remind his mafter of what he had pro- pofed by th? archbifhop of Bourdeau*, namely, N°. 50. 9 g that H I S T 0 R Y o f E N G L A N D. that they fhould decide their quarrel in fingle cotn- ^' ^e Drench king no fooner received this meffage than he fent back the fame herald to the emPeror» witn a formal defiance, in which he gave Charles the lie; and demanded of him fecurity of the field in which they fhonld fight body to body. The emperor accepted the challenge, and difpatch- ed one of his heralds with another remonftrance on the fubject. He found great difficulty in being admitted to the king's prefence ; and when he be- gan to fpeak, was interrupted by Francis, who be- ing afaid of hearing fome difagreeable repartee, afked, if he had brought fecurity for the field, as every thing elfe was fuperfluous ? He was anfwered in the affirmative ; and defired permiffion to read the emperor's cartel. This, however, he could not obtain. Francis rofe haftily, after having ut- tered fome angry exprefilons ; and ordered the he- rald to quit his dominions. In this whole affair he acted a part unbecoming a man of honour : firfl, in renouncing the treaty to which he owed his de- liverance : fecondly, in trefpading the bounds of decorum, by fending fuch a fcurrilous meflage to Charles : and, thirdly, in his behaviour to the he- rald, which denoted equal infolence and trepidation. On the other hand, it muft be allowed, that Charles demeaned himfelf like a prince of gallantry and courage. Hugh de Mendoza the Spamfh ambafTador at London, being informed of thefe tranfactions, would have retired immediately ; but, Wolfey af- furing him that the herald had exceeded his orders, and would be feverely punifhed at his return, he fent a courier to inform the emperor of this decla- ration. Clarencieux, who was ftill in Spain, be- ing apprized of this circum {lance, demanded, and obtained an authentic copy of the ambaflfador's let- ter j and arriving privately in England went di- rectly HENRY vni. 45t fe&ly to the king, to whom he produced this tefti- A>c- *5*8' mony, together with three other letters, written in his own hand, by which Clarencieux had been pe- remptorily ordered to denounce war againft the em- peror. Henry was^ fo exafperated at this informa- Wte'reftb> tion, that in the tranfport of his anger, he chid the B!ns to cardinal for his prefumption in the mod acrimo- touer* nious expreflions ; and, in all probability, would have difgraced him intirely, had not he forefeen, that he fhould have occafion for his miniftry in the affair of the divorce. The matter, however, was examined in council ; and, though Wolfey plead- ed, that he imagined what he had done was con- formable to the king's intentions, he received a fevere and mortifying rebuke. The report which. Clarencieux made of the honourable treatment he had met with at the court of the emperor, made an imprefiion upon Henry. He feemed lc-:h to break with a prince who treated him with fush per- fonal refpecl: -, and the trade between England and the Low Countries being of great confequenc:* to the nation, fome overtures were made for keeping it ilill open. Mean while the merchants, in con- fequence of the declaration of war, refufed to buy the cloth that was brought to market at Blackwell- Hall; and the manufacturers .mutinied in divers parts of England. The .. fame commotbns hap- pening in Flanders, Margaret governante of the .Low Countries, with the advice of the emperor's council, fent over two ambaffadors to follicin a truce, which they obtained for eight months, not- withftanding the remonftrances of the French am- bafiador, and the iniinuations of the cardinal, Hail. whofe credit about this time began to decline. Aft- Pjl>« During thefe tranfactions, the imperial army at Rome being reduced to a wretched condition by the plague, the prince of Orange, with the remains of it, retreated towards Naples, before the arms Gg 2 of 452 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A.C. 1518. of Lautrec,who, being reinforced to the number of thirty thoufand men, undertook the fiege of that capital, while it was blocked up by Tea with the gal- jcn' lies of France, Venice, and Genoa. Thefc engaged and worded the Imperialifts •, and Lautrec refolved to reduce the city by famine : but Andrea Doria being difgufted with the French king, withdrew his gallies, and declared for the emperor •, fo that the French army fuffered as much as the befieged, from a fcarcity of provifion. At length, it was infeded by the plague, which deftroyed the greater part of the officers and foldiers ; and carried off the , general, who was fucceeded in command by the The French » -101 T-I • i i • 1-1 are driven marquis de Saluces. I his nobleman immediately ^th-'im7 abandoned tne enterprize, and retreated to Averfa, periaiifts. where he was befieged in his turn by the Impe- rialifls ; and obliged to furrendcr at difcretion. At she fame time, Francis loft his footing in Ge- noa, the liberty of which Doria reftored, eftbbliih- 5ng that form of government which the inhabi- tants ftiil retain. The fuccefs of the Imperialifts in Italy raifed frefh obftacles to Henry's divorce from Catherine. The pope, when follicited to ifTue new bulls on that fubjedj that mould be more explicit than thofe he had figned at Orvietto, advifed the king of Eng- land privately, to make ufe of the commifiion which he had already granted to the legate for an- nulling the marriage, and efpoufe another wife7 ,; " according to his own inclination, in which cafe he would confirm the marriage : alledging, that it would be eafier for him to grant a confirmation of what was already done, than a difpenfation to do that which was undone. Henry looked upon this advice as a fubterfuge for fome fmifter pur- pofe. He forefaw, that if he (hould take another wife in this manner, he would be altogether in the power of his holinefs, who might confirm or annul the HENRY VIII. 453 the marriage at pleafure •, and therefore he refolved A>c- '5i8< to perfift in demanding new bulls for terminating the affair 6f the divorce. Wolfey's fecretary, .Stephen Gardiner, and Edward Fox, were lent to Rome to demand a new commiflion, impowering the cardinal to diffolve the marriage, and yet de- clare the daughter born of that marriage legitimate, as well as a decretal bull to diflblve the king's mar- riage ; and a difpenfation for his wedding another wife, without any reftriction. At the fame time, the envoys were ordered to make the pope acquaint- ed with the extraordinary merit of Anne Boleyn, on whom the king had by this time fettled his af- fection ; and to tell his holinefs, that the cardinal had no fhare in advifmg the divorce Gardi-ner and Fox arriving at Orvietto, when Lautrec was on his march towards Naples, the pope wanted to protract the difcufllon of this affair until he fhould fee the fuccefs of the campaign ; and for this pur- pofe, endeavoured to amufe Henry with a letter written in cypher, which nobody could explain. This expedient was very ill received by the king, who fent orders to his envoys to infill upon the former demands ; and as by this time the French general had made conquelts in the kingdom of Naples, Clement, afraid of difobliging Henry, who was fo clofely connected with Francis, figned a bull, conftituting cardinal Wolfey judge of the affair, in conjunction with the archbifhop of Cante;b'jry, or any other Englifh prelate. The king's council confidered this commiffion as defective, becaufe it contained no claufe to prevent the pope from re- verfmg the decree •, and implied a manifeft nullity, in appointing as fole judge of the affair a cardinal devoted to the king, and actually his prime mini- fter. Henry therefore demanded, that another le- gate mould be joined to Wolfey ; and that the pope fhould, by a former engagement, renounce all G g 3 power 454 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A.c.i5as. power of revokingthe commiffion. As L.autrec had now undertaken the ficge of Naples, Clement made no fcruple to comply with thefe demands, Snpejusnd He appointed Wolfey and Campejus his legates a appointed latere, eftablifhing them as his vicegerents in the Se^Sof anr"air °f lne divorce j and for that purpofe veiling the king's them with his whole authority. He likewife grant- divorcc. ecj jjjg formaj engagement touching the revocation ; and furnifhed Campejus with a decretal, annulling the king's marriage. Thefe concefiions were made at different periods, in order to protract the time \ and before the decretal patted, Clement, in all probability, had refolved to thwart Henry in the affair of his divorce ; for, by this time, Lautrecwas dead, and the French army ruined : fo that the pope had nothing to fear from the confederates. He had refolved to accommodate all differences v/ith the emperor, whom he therefore would not difo- blige by being acceflary to the difgrace of his kinf- woman Catherine : but, on the other hand, until this accommodation cquld be effected, he was averfe to a rupture with Henry, left he mould be left to the mercy of the emperor ; and obliged to em- brace fuch terms as he (hould think proper to im- pofe. His aim then was to temporize and fpin CUE the affair of the divorce, until he mould have compromifed all his difputes with Charles, from \yhom he had realon to expect favourable terms, while he maintained a feeming connexion with France and England. He directed his legate Cam- pejus to protract the affair as long as poflible : to forbear giving fentence of divorce, until he mould receive hew orders under the hand of his holmefs: and to avoid communicating the bull to any perfon whatfoever, except the king and the cardinal. clmpefJto Campejus arriving in England began his lega- gaiatime. tion, by exhorting the king to live in good under- Handing wUh Catherine \ and dcfift from his loN £ liciuicion HENRY VIII. fjcitation of the divorce. This advice being very A c tsz^- ill received, he endeavoured to perfuade the queen to confent to the reparation ; but his counfei was rejected by Catherine, who told him (he was the king's lawful wife, and fo would continue, until fhe (hould be declared otherwife by the pope's fen- tence. Then the legate declared, he could proceed no farther without new orders; and fix months clapfed before thefe could be obtained. In the mean time, he flattered the king with the hope of feeing his defire accomplifhed, and amufed him and Wol- fey with the fight of the bull ; but when he was prefied to produce it before fome lords of the coun- cil, he pleaded the pope's order to the contrary. Henry, incenled at this method of proceeding, complained to Clement, who juftified the conduct 2^*' of the legate ; and gave the court to underftand, that the bull mould not be publifhed, except the fen te nee of the legates fhould be favourable to his majefty. While the pope thus trifled with Henry, his ne- gotiation with the emperor was ftill continued ; and now he fought a pretence for breaking with the kings of France and England, who were no longer formidable in Italy. They had promifed to pro- cure for him the reftitution of Ravenna and Cer- via, and now he loudly complained, that they had not performed their engagements. At length, they received intimation of his treating with the em- peror; and upbraided him in their turn with double dealing. He ftill denied he had any intention to Kenrv fl.n.h depart from his neutrality ; and fent Francifco Cam- *efl> envoy* pana to England, with aflurances of his good in- to tention. This envoy carried an order to Campejus, to burn the decretal bull, and protract the divorce to the utmoft of his power. He accordingly found new pretences for delaying the proceedings, until at length Henry, impatient of fuch prdcraftinacion, G g 4 line 456 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A.C. 15^8. fent Sir Francis Bryan, and Peter Vannes to Rome, to dive into the real caufe of this delay. They were directed to fearch the pope's chancery for 4 pretended brief, which as the Spaniards gave out, confirmed the difpenfation for Catherine's mar- riage, granted by pope Julius j to propofe divers expedients for facilitating the determination of the divorce ; to offer a guard of two thoufand men to the pope, in cafe he mould be intimidated by the threats of the emperor-, or mould this propofal be rejected, to counterbalance the threats of Charles with menaces from Henry. The two envoys exe- cuted the firft part of their commifticn : and finding the pope inclining to the intereft of the emperor, told him plainly, that mould he refufe granting the fatisfaction their matter demanded, England would Certainly renounce him and all the popes his fuccef- jfors. They obferved, that the Englifh people wanted nothing but their king's permifllon to make pfr all obedience to the papal power ; that he was on the brink of raifing two formidable enemies to himfelf, in the perfons of Francis and Henry ; and that as the king of England had engaged in the •war merely with a view to deliver his holinefs from impnfonment, all Chriftendom would look with horror upon his ingratitude, mould he en- gage in a league againft his deliverer. Thefe re- monftrances produced no effect upon the pope, who anfwered in general terms ; and pretended to think himfelf in a very dangerous fituation, from which he could be relieved by nothing but the fig- nal interpofition of heaven. The queftions propoied by the envoys to able canonifts, were thefe, Whe- ther, if the queen mould take the veil, the king might be at liberty to take another wife ? Whe- ther, if the king and queen fhould take the vows together, the pope would grant him a difpenfa- tion to marry again during the life of Catherine ? and, HENRY VIII. 457 and, Whether the pope could grant him permifllon A-c- Jsz8- to have two wives. The anfwers to thefe queftions never tranfpired. But, the pope's chancery being fearched, no brief appeared ; and the Englifti en- L^ Herbert. voys obtained authentic certificates of this parti- Aa.npub cuJar. Although the pope had laid down a refolution to thwart the king, he ftill continued to heap fa- vours on his minifter. He obtained leveral bulls for fuppreffing divers fmall morkafteries, and many other grants towards the eftablifhment of his two colleges at Oxford and Ipfwich, which he had very much at heart j and indeed, he could not be too alert in feizing the prefect opportunity, which, if he had neglected, the work in all probability would have remained imperfect. With refpect to ^fairsof Scotland, Henry in the courfe of this year fent am- bafladors to the court of his nephew James, with propofals of peace •, but, as this could not be ef- fefted, on account of the diffractions of that king- dom, which was divided into two factions, headed by the queen-dowager, and the family of Douglas, a truce was conluded at Berwick, for five years. In a feparate article it was ftipulated, that the earl of Angus, his brother George, and uncle Archi- bald, might be received and protected in England, on condition that they Ihould deliver up to their fovereign the places they held in Scotland; and that, in cafe they fhould make inroads into their own country, the king of England fhould repair the damage, as if it had been done by his own fubjects. The pope, on pretence of acting as mediator for A. c. 1529. a general peace, had fent a nuncio to Spain, to con- clude a feparate treaty with the emperor ; and while this was on the carpet, the affair of the divorce hung in fufpence. In the beginning of the year, Pement had been feized with a dangerous malady, of H I S T O R Y o F E N G L A N D. A. 0.1529. of which cardinal Wolfey was no fooner apprifed, than he began to cabal for the papacy. Henry had written to feveral cardinals in his favour ; and ' Francis affured him, that he fhould be fupported by all thofe of the French faction. Gardiner was, ordered to employ all his vigilance and attention, ki keeping them fteady to their engagements j and in cafe another pope mould be chofen in fpite of Wolfey's intereft, they were directed to proteft a- gainft whatever mould be done in the conclave, and elect the Englilh cardinal in fome other place. All thefe intrigues, however, were baffled by the recovery of Clement, who being informed of the fteps which had been taken, looked upon the cardi- nal as a dangerous competitor, who might one day fupplant him on pretence of his baftardy, for which he had been already reproached, and threatened with depofition by the emperor. In the me^n time, he continued to amuie the king of England with promifes, that the affair of the divorce mould be determined according to his wifh ; and delivered in- to Gardiner's hands a brief, in which he declared he would not revoke the power he had granted to the legates. In token of his refpect for Henry, when that prince, on the death of Richard Fox, defired he would confer the bifhopric of Winchefter Biflioprc of upon, Wolley, he immediately ordered the bulls to \vinchefter ^Q expedited for that purpoie, though he taxed conferred on rii i 1-1.1 them at fifteen thouiand ducats; the cardinal, how- ever, would not pay above fix thoufand, owning that he was indifferent about the fee, as he already enjoyed the temporalities by the king's favour. 'j ne emperor being well affured of the pope's rur protefrs r , • ,. 1-1 fentiments touching the aivorce, entered m the name of his aunt queen Catherine a formal proteft againft ail that mould be done in England on that fubjec"l by the legates, one of whom he aliedged was entirely devoted to Henry, and the other bi- mop H E N R Y VIII. fhop of Salflbury in his dominions. The Englifh minifters endeavoured to perfuade the pope, that this proteft ought to be rejected. But he told them, he could not refufe to a queen what the moft in- confiderabl-G fubjefl had aright to demand, obferv- ing, that a proteft did not at all detract from the merits of any caufe. From this and other concur- ring circumRances they concluded, that his fole aim was to dupe their mafter, to whom they imparted their fentiments, hinting, that unlefs the affair could be fpeedily decided, the pope would in all pro- bability evoke the caufe to Rome. Henry, alarm- ed at this intelligence, refolved to fue the divorce before the legates without further delay; but, upon. perufing the brief? in which Clement had engaged that the power of the legates mould not be re- voked, it was found conceived in fuch ambiguous terms as left no room to doubt the pope's infince- rity. That the king might be more fully convin- ced, however, Gardiner was directed to tell him, that the brief had been wetted in its carriage to England, fo as that the writing was almoft effaced; for which reafon he was defued to fign another, which would have been more explicit : but Cler ment found means to elude all his follicitations, and fecredy rejoiced at the fuppofed accident. Henry having nothing further to hope from the court of Rome, recalled his ambaffadors, and in their room fent thither Bennet, who carried a letter to his holinefs from the two legates, who obferved that the chief point of the caufe was to decide upon the authority vefted in the head of the church ; and as this was an object far above their power and ca- pacity, they advifed his holinefs to evoke the caule before his own tribunal, not doubting but the king would confent to this evocation, provided that he might be previoufiy allured that the caufe would be ck.ided in his favour. How Wolfey was induced to 460 H I S T O R Y OF E N G L A N D. A.C. 1519. to give an advice fo contrary to the intereft and in* clinations of his matter, is not eafy to determine. The legates Mean while Henry prefied the legates to proceed on thdrCcom- tne^r commiflion ; and they met on the thirty- firft million. day of May, when they nominated adjuncts to af- . fill them in examining the evidences. Wolfey, in order to fhew his impartiality, yielded the chair of prefidency to Campejus, though he was an older car- dinal to that legate, who fummoned the king and queen to appear in court on the eighteenth day of June. When that day arrived, the queen's agents excepted to the authority of the legates ; but their exceptions were over-ruled, and the king and queen perfonaliy appeared. on the twenty- firft day of the month. Henry, when called upon, anfwered, Here; but, the queen being cited, arofe and fall- ing on her knees before Henry, " I am (faid fhe) " a poor woman, and ftranger in your dominions, " where I can neither expect difinterefted coun- €t fel, nor impartial judges. I have been your ** wife twenty years and up\vards, have bore you ** feveral children, and ever ftudied to pleafe *' you. I proteft you found me a true maid, 46 concerning which I appeal to your own confci- " ence. If I have done amifs, let me be put a- " way with fhame. Our parents were efteemed " wife princes, and no doubt had good counfel- " lors, when they agreed upon our marriage. I «* therefore will not fubmit to the court. My •' lawyers are your fubjects, and dare not fpeak cc freely in my behalf j for which reafon, I dcfire " to be excufed until I mall hear from Spain." So faying, me role, and making a low reverence to the king, retired from court, paying no regard to the crier, who required her to ftay. After her de- parture Henry declared, that me had bsen always a true and obedient wife, and was poffefTed of ma- ny excellent qualities -, bur, that his conference being HENRY Vill. 461 being difquieted by a remark which had been made A-c- 'S29- by the bilhop of Tarbe the French ambafiador, he had refolved to try the lawfulnefs of his marriage, for the eafe of his mind and the benefit of the fucceflion. He faid he had mentioned this fcruple in confeflion to the bifhop of Lincoln ; and defired the archbifhop of Canterbury to procure the opi- nions of all the prelates, who had under their hands and feals difapproved of the marriage. The bifhop of Rochefter declaring, that he had not fee his hand to this writing, the metropolitan of Can- terbury faid, he had confented to let another write his name •, but this c ire urn dance he of Rochefter pofitively denied. The queen being again cited to appear, appealed to the pope, and was declared contumacious. Then the legates drew up twelve articles to be difcufifed by the examination of evi- dence. They declared, that prince Arthur and the king were brothers : that prince Arthur had married Catherine, and confummated the marriage v that upon the death of Arthur, Henry, by virtue of a difpenfation, had married the widow : that this marriage with his brother's wife was forbidden both by human and divine law : and that upon the complaints which the pope had received, his holi- nefs had fent them to try and decide in the affair. The king's council infifted chiefly on the confum- znarion of Arthur's marriage; and in the courfe of their pleadings fpoke fo indecently, that the bifhop of Rochefter fignified his difapprobation and dif- guft. He was checked by Woliey for prefuming to interpofej and fome fcvere altercation paffed be- tween thefe prelates. The evidence, however, produced many ftrong prefumptions, that Arthur had carnally known the queen, though me herfelf declared, and even fwore the contrary. While the legates proceeded very (lowly in this Thec.iu6.te evoked - Rome. evoke procefs, the emperor's" minifters preffed the pope to ewkedto 462 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A. a 1529. evoke the caufe to Rome ; and the Englilh envoys exerted all their influence to prevent this evocation. Both fides threatened to depofe, him on account of his baftardy i and he pretended to be intimidated by their menaces, which however furnimed him with a reafon for poftponing his declaration, until he had concluded his treaty with the emperor. Then he plainly told the Englifh agents, that he had refolved to evoke the caufe of the divorce to Rome •, and though they allured him that fuch a ftep would certainly difmember the holy fee of the fpiritual dominion of England, he refufed to retract his refolution. The emperor had engaged by treaty to re-eilablifh the houfe of Medicis in the fove- reignty of Florence ; and this circumftance alone over- balanced every other confideration in the mind of Clement. On the fifteenth day of July he figned the bull of evocation, which he forthwith difpatch- ed by a courier to England, where the procefs of divorce had been ftrangely protracted by the arti- fice of Campej us, who found means to adjourn the leffion from time to time, under various pretences. How incenfed foever the king mull have been at the arrival of this bull of evocation, in which he was cited to appear at Rome in forty days, on pain of ecclefiaftical cenfure, he diffemblcd his refentment; and though he would not allow the bull to be inti- mated to him in form, he gave the legates to un- derfland that they were at liberty to obey the pope's order. Clement afterwards, by way of reparation, revoked the cenfures by a new brief, and prolong- ed the term of the citation till Chriftmas. - All thofe who were acquainted with Henry's dif • pofition dated the difgrace of the cardinal from this ^era j and indeed he had, through the whole of this procefs, behaved with fuch langour and in- difference as cannot be eafily explained, when we confider how much it imported him to gratify his matter HENRY VIII. matter in this interefting affair. Perhaps he was A. c. 15*9, unwilling to incenfe the emperor beyond a poffibi- lity of reconciliation, in cafe the affairs of Europe. Ihould take a new turn : perhaps he fecretly hated Anne Boleyn, as a dangerous rival in the king's favour, or a profelyte to the doctrine of Luther ; or he was actuated by fome obfcure motive of per- fonal diflike. Great men are often influenced by low pafllons and prejudices, which they are amam- ed to avow. Certain it is, the emperor left no ftone unturned to ruin the cardinal in the king's opinion ; he was at pains to circulate reports in- vented for the purpofe of his deftruction ; and, by means of his emifiaries, Henry received copies of letters, difapproving the divorce, which the cardi- nal was faid to have privately written to his holi- nefs. On the other hand, Anne Boleyn imputed the mifcarriage of the divorce to the backwardnefe with which Wolfey had acted in the affair -, and her refentment was proportionate to the greatnefs of her difappointment, Her father, now created lord vifcount Rochfort, had removed her from coart during the procefs, in order to avoid fcandal ; but when the commifiion was vacated, fhe returned at the king's defire. After all this provocation, Hen~ ry kept his temper with furpriGng equanimity ; and, when the two cardinals waited upon him at Graf- ton, received them with his ufual complacency. Wolfey was clofeted for a confiderable time, and difmifled with leeming kindnefs j and all the cour- tiers, who hated him in their hearts, flill behaved towards him with the ufual refpect and appearance of veneration. Henry, in order to amufe his impatience, and divert his chagrin, made a progrels through fome counties ; and, in his return, lay at Wahham Crols, in the houfe of Mr. Creffey. This gentle- man had committed the education of his two fons tp 464 HlSTORYorENGLAND. A. c. 1529. f.0 Thomas Cranmer, a doctor in theology, who had been profeflbr at Oxford, and loft his office on account of his being married. He was eminent for his learning, piety, and moderation ; and fe- cretly favoured the dodririe of Luther, whofe books Expedient ^e ^acj rea)j jp Germany. At fupper he was cle * fired by Fox*and Gardiner to give his fentiments of the divorce •, and, being preiTed on the fubject, he propofed that the king mould procure the opi- nions of all the univerfities, theologifts, and civili- ans cf Chriftendom ; who would either judge the difpenfation of pope Julius II. valid, or iriiufficient : if valid, the king's confcience would be at eafe ; if infufficient, the pope could never venture to de- clare himfelf againft the opinion of all the able men in Chriftendom. When this propofal was communicated to the king, he teftified his fatisfac- tion, by exclaiming, " Aye, now we have the '* right fow by the ear." He defired to hear it from Cranmer's own mouth, and was fo pleafed with his converfimon, that he commanded him to follow the court, and ever after onfulted him in fe;r Thomas a^ emergencies. On the king's return from this More area- progrcfs, he fent a meffage to the cardinal, de- Sicntfaecl~ manding the great feal, which he at firft refufed room of to deliver ; but, Henry writing to him next day, Wolfey- he gave it to the dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk, and it was offered to Warham-, archbifhop of Canterbury, who had formerly been chancellor ; but, he declining the offer, on account of his great age, it was given to Sir Thomas More, who had fignalized himfelf for his learning and integrity. campfuH C'ampejus not a little alarmed at this prelude to uuits^the Woifey's fall, took leave of the king, in order to return to Italy -, and Henry expreffed no difpleafure at parting with that prelate. Before he embarked in peffon, the cuftom-houfe officers rummaged all his baggage, on pretence of fearching for contra- band HENRY VIII. 465 band goods ; though it is fuppofed they acted byA>c-'529. the expreis directions of the king, who wanted to ieize the decretal bull, not knowing that it was al- ready committed to the flames. When the cardi- nal complained of this infult, as an outrage com- mitted againft a legate of the holy fee, Henry told him, That the officers had done their duty : .Thac he was furprifed at his aiTuming the character of le- gate, after his power and commiiiion had been re- voked •, and flill more furprifed, that, being bi- fhop ef Salisbury, he fhould be fo ignorant of the laws of the land, as to afiume that quality without the king's permiflion. Campejus, intimidated by this anfwer, thought himfdf extremely happy in being allowed to depart without further moleltation. On the ninth day of October, Hales, the attor- ney-general, prefented an information in the king's- bench againft the cardinal, accusing him of having violated the ftatute of premunire. He coafefled w°ifey's , • 1- n • 1 i j • £"io chfgrace and tne indictment, pleaded ignorance or the itatute, dejeaion. and fubrm'tted himfelf to the king's mercy. He \yas declared out of the king's protection, his goods and chattels were forefeited to the king ; and his palace of York houfe, afterwards known by the name of Whitehall, was feized for his majefty's ufe; toge- ther with all the rich furniture and wealth he had amafled. Humbled by this reverfe of fortune, he petitioned the king for a protection for his perfon, which he immediately obtained, with a free par- don. He was reftored to the enjoyment of the archblfhopric of Ycrk and fee of Winchefter; he retrieved of his own effects to the amount of fix thoufand pounds in furniture, money, and plate; and received divers kind meflages from the king and Anne Bokyn : fo that Henry's aim at this juncture was to humble the pride, bur not ruin the fortune, of his old favourite. Thefe favour- able fentimcr.tSj however, were not of long dura- N2 50. H h lion : 466 HISTORY opENGLAND1. A. c. 1529. tipri : his enemies now prevailed at court, arid brought into the houfe of lords an impeachment of high treafon, in four and forty articles; importing, That he had abufed his legatine power, acted ty- rannically in the office of chancellor, expedited di- vers orders of the utmoft importance, and executed treaties without the king's knowledge and concur- rence; behaved defpotically on many occafions, more like an eaftern fovereign than an Englifh mi- nifter ; practifed extortion, bribery, and all man- ner of corruption ; fought to equal, and even pre- fer himfelf, to his majefty, by writting in orders and inftructions, Ego et rex meus, I and my king; and endangering his fovereign's health by breath- ing upon him, and whifpering in his ear, when he knew himfelf deeply infected with the venereal di- ftemper. Thefe articles pafTed in the houfe of lords, which was filled with his enemies; but, when the bill was carried down to the commons, Thomas Cromwell, a member of that houfe, who had been the cardinal's domeftic, defended him with fuch ftrength of argument, that no act of treafon could be proved againft him ; and the profecution was dropped. The cardinal manifefted very little for- titude under his misfortune: he became abject and difconfolate •, and, at length, fickened in confe- quence of fuch repeated mortifications. The king's tendernefs feemed to revive when he heard of Wol- fey's di (temper; he had formerly fent him a tor- quoife ring, as a teftirnony of his protection, which the cardinal received upon the road to Winchefler. He was fo affected with this inftance of the king's goodnefs, that he alighted from his horfe, and fell upon his knees in a tranfport of joy. Henry now fent him another prefent of a ruby, by his phyfician doctor Butts, who allured him his highnefs was not angry with him in his heart, and that he ihould in a little time be convinced of his affection. - This HENRY VIII. 46 This kind mefiage contributed in a great meafure A c to the recovery of the cardinal, who fupplicated and obtained the king's permifiion to live, for the benefit of the air, at Richmond- houfe; which he had formerly received in exchange for Hampton- Court. While the attention of the Englifh court was en- grofied by the affair of the divorce and the difgrace of Wolfey, Francis, feeing no other profpedt of re- trieving his hoftages from the hands of the empe- ror, refolved to effect an accommodation with that power, and fet on foot a private negotiation for this purpofe ; while he amufed the Venetians, the Florentines, and the duke of Ferrara, with the pro- mife of marching into Italy at the head of a power- ful army. Perhaps he would not have found Charles fo well difpofed for peace, had not he been influenced by the preparations of the Turks for in- vading Hungary and Auftria, and the commotions of the proteftants in Germany. Thus threatened, he affected great moderation. The articles being privately difcuffed, the emperor's aunt Margaret, gouvernante of the Low Countries, and Louifa of Savoy, mother to the French king, repaired to Cambray, where they figned ths treaty of peace; importing, That the emperor mould, for the pre- Treaty of fenr, wave his demand of Burgundy : That the f"eceenbt5,"e king of France mould pay two millions of golden emperor and crowns for the ranfom of his children -, withdraw Frenckkin8' his troops from Italy; cede to Charles- the fove- reignty of Flanders and Artois ; reftore the county of Alti, with all that he ftill maintained in the dutchy of Milan ; renounce all pretenfions to the kingdom of Naples ; efpoufe queen Eleanor, the emparor's fitter ; and re-eftablim the heirs of the late duke of Bourbon in poffeflion of all the eftate of that family which had been confiscated. The king of England being privy to this negotiation, H h 2 was 468 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A. c. 1519. was fatisfieci w;tn a fingie article, by which Francis engaged to pay five hundred thoufand crowns, which the emperor owed to Henry -, and to relieve a jewel, which Philip, the emperor's father, had pledged to Henry VII. for the fum of fifty thoufand crowns. Henry behaved with great ge- nerofity on this occafion ; for he not only freely re- mitted the paymc-nt of the five hundred thoufand Gu'cciardi- crowns, but prefented the jewel to his godfonHen- Mem-ai. TV, fecond fon of Francis. At the fame time a DU lieiby. treatv Gf commerce was concluded between Eng- land and the Low Countries. A c. 1530. -pj^ empcro^ having agreed to the principal ar- ticles of the peace, took fhipping at Barcelona, kJy" ° w'l*h n'ne trioufend men, and arrived at Genoa in AuguR ; when the peace of Cambray being pub- lifhed, the Venetians, the Florentines, the dukes of Milan and Ferrara, finding themfelves abandoned by France, were obliged to fubmit to the emperor. The difaiffion of their affairs was referred to a con- ference between Charles and the pope at Bologna, where all their different ambafiadors attended. There the emperor decreed, that the Venetians fhould reilore Ravenna and Cervia to the pope ; and to himfelf fome places which they ftill occupied in the kingdom of Naples. Francis Sforza was put in pofTeilion of Milan, on condition of paying a large fum to the emperor. The difpute between the pope and the duke of Ferrara was left to the arbitration of Charles ; but that between his holi- nefs and the Florentines could not be accommodated. They were determined to fpend their lives in de- fence of their liberty j which, nevertheiefs, they of- fered to pnrchafe with a fum of money, but the pope infilled upon their receiving the houfe of Me- dici.s as their fovereign ; and, as they rejected this propofal, the emperor ordered the prince of Orange to befiege their city. Charles, having thus fettled his HENRY VIII. 469 his Italian concerns, returned to Germany, where A- c- '53?- the proteftants called aloud for a general council, with the promife of which the emperor had flatter* ed them during the war; but, at his conference with the pope, he had undertaken to reduce them, without gratifying this their defire. They had lately engaged in a league for their own defence ; and this ailbciation alarmed Charles to fuch a de- gree, that he haftened from Bologna, after having received the imperial crown from the hands of his holinefs. Mean while, the prince of Orange loft his life at the fiege of Florence, which capitulated on condition of being permitted to preferve its li- berty, though the emperor was impowered to re* gulate the form of the government. But, in a few days, the partizans of the houfe of Medicis exciting a tumult in the city, the adminiftration reverted to pope Clement ; the emperor eftabliflied his fon in- law, Alexander de Medicis, on the fame footing which his anceftors had gained, and rendered the fovereign power hereditary in his family. The king of England ftill laboured to procure the divorce, in the profecution of which he had met with fuch difficulties. The queen had been for lome time removed from court, where AnneBoleyn appeared in great fplendor, governing Henry by her nod, and receiving ineenfe from the Englifh no- bility. Cranmer wrote a book in favour of the fo- licited divorce, and afterwards accompanied two ambafTadors to Bologna, where they had audience of the pope and the emperor. Clement exprefled a delire of giving the king fatisfadion -, but he durft not aft without the confent of Charles, who declared he would never abandon the caufe of his aunt queen Catherine. About the fame time Hen- H^ry cow- ry fent learned men to confult the foreign univer- J£j53f lines ; and thofe of Paris, Angers, Bourges, Or- n>..rh:ngthe leans, Tholoufe, Bologna, Ferrara, and Padua, u> H h 3 « unani- 470 HI STORY OF ENGLAND. •A. 0.1530. unanimoufly agreed that the difpenfation granted by pope Julius 1J. being contrary to the law of God, the marriage of Henry with Catherine could not be valid. The Englifh univerfities fubfcribed to the fame opinion, though not without great op- , pofition from the mailers of arts, cfpecially at Ox- ford ; and a \varm conteft at Cambridge. This oppofition arofe from thofe who were averfe to the Lutheran doctrine, which they were afraid would gain ground under the countenance and protection Bumet. of Anne Boleyn. Hisnofcks Henry, rinding his application to the pope inef- kn\ fflwr" ^c<^:ua'> prevailed upon his chief prelates and nobi- femonftrancc lity to fend a fharp remonftrance, by way of letter, to the pope. to tjie pOpe.? ;n which, after having mentioned the obligations his holinefs owed to the king, the de- cifiou of fo many learned univerfities, and the little regard which had been payed to them at the court of Rome ; they gave him to uncierftand, that, fhould he refufe to do juflice in the affair of the di- vorce, they would conclude themfelves abandoned by trie fee of Rome, and feek for other remedies. To this letter, which was figned by cardinal Wolfey, the metropolitan of Canterbury, four bimops, two dukes, tv,o marquifes, thirteen earls, two vifcounts, three and twenty barons, two and twenty abbots, and eleven commoners, 'the pope wrote an anfwer to juftify his conduct. His apology was fo far from being admitted, that Henry, in order to anti- cipate any ftep that might be taken by Clement in favour of Catherine, or the cardinal, iflfued a pro- clamation, forbidding all perfons whatever to pur- chafe any thing from Rome, or elfewhere, that fhould bz contrary to his royal prerogative; or to divulge any thing of that nature, on pain of incur- ring his indignation, and the penalties fpecified ia the ftmite of provifors and premunire. Then he ordered fome learned men in the kingdom to col- led HENRY VIII. 471 left, compare, and publifh,.all that had been or A.C. »S3«. could be alledged in favour of the divorce, includ- ing the opinions of the univerfities, and a particu- lar anfwer to a book, which Fifher, bifhop of Ro- BwnS* chefter, had written in defence of the marriage. Cardinal Wolfey continued ftill fluctuating be - tween hope and defpair. He had, in the begin- ning of his difgrace, been reduced to great necef- fity, from which he was relieved by the bifhop of Carlifle ; but afterwards his affairs feemed to take a more favourable turn. He received a full pardon, confiderable appointments, and kind meflfages from the king ; and was permitted to fit among the peers in parliament -, though he had the mortifica- tion to fee a bill pafs, confirming his own forfei- tures to the king •, and, among others, his college an Oxford, which Henry afterwards founded in his own name. The cardinal feemed more afflicted at the fate of his college, than at any other circum- irance of his misfortune. He wrote to the king in the mod humble drain, begging the foundation might be permitted to Hand : he lent a pathetic letter on the fame fobjed to Cromwell, who had by this time in- fmuaced himfelf into the king's confidence •, but no regard was paid to his importunity. At length, Anne Boleyn, and the reft of his enemies, thinking Car,imai him too near the king, while he refided at Rich- woifcyre- P', ,- , . . , . tires to mond, obtained an order for ms removing to his Yorkt archbifhopric of York. Hs obeyed this command, though not without great reluctance ; and retired by flow journeys to Cawood, attended by a re- tinue of one hundred and twenty horsemen. Upon the road he diftributed his alms and benediction with great liberality i and now, for the firft time in hislife, began to be popular, die people croud- ing to fee him, and afk his blefiing, as he parted through the country. Not that ht; had intirely laid aiide the thoughts of worldly grandeur. He " H h 4 intended 4?2 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. A. c. 1550. intended to be inftalied, according to the antient cuftom, with great folernnity ; and began to make preparations for this ceremony, all accefs to the choir of York being forbidden, until it fhould be performed. Heissr-efi- While he was thus employed for the gratifica- tr«fcmhl8k" tion of idle vanity, his adverfaries exerted them- feives fo induftrioufly, that, before the day of in- ilalladon, he was vifited by the earl of Northum- Jand, warden of the Marches, and Sir Walter Welch, a gentleman of the king's privy chamber, who arrefted him for high-treatbn, together with one Auguftine his phylician, who was immediately conveyed to London in the mod ignominious man- ner. Wolfey betrayed marks of fear and diforder when the earl fignifod his errand ; but, recovering his fpirits a little, protefted he would not yield un- til he mould fee his commiffion, which the other refuted to produce ; yet, at fight of Welch, he com- plied with the king's pleafure, becaufe he knew his perfon and office. Having been indulged with fome time to prepare for his journey, he fee out for London with an heavy heart ; and by the -way, was delivered by Northumberland to the care of the carl of Shiewfbury, fteward of the houfhold, who told him he was commanded to ufe him refpecT:- fully, as one whom the king highly favoured; and allured him, that though his highnefs found him- felf obliged to bring him upon his trial for the fa- tisfaction of foma particular perfons, he did r.oc entertain the leaft doubt of his integrity. Such was the dejection of the cardinal, that his fpirits and refolution failed him even after thefe afTur- ances. He moved very flowly, and flayed a whole fortnight at Sheffield caftle, where he was feized with a dyfentery. Here he was joined by Sir Wil- liam Kingfcon, captain of the king's guard, and conftable of the Tower, v/ho came, attended with four HENRY VIII. 473 four and twenty yeomen of the guard, who had A. 0.1530. been formerly the cardinal's fervants. He faluted him on the knee with a very gracious meffagefrom the king, whodefired he would make no more hafte than ftood with his health and convenience. But whether Wolfey was confcious of having been en- gaged in fome clandeftine tranfactions with the em- peror and pope, which he feared would now be clifcoveied, or apprehended that his adverfaries were bent upon his definition, which they would be able to effect, he remained difconfolate, notwith- ftanding all thole encouraging addreflfes ; and his diftemper gained ground. Neverthelefs, he pro- ceeded on his journey, until he arrived at Leicefter- abbey ; where, feeling his end approaching, he fent for Sir William Kingfton, and fpoke to this ef - feet : " Had I ferved God as diligently as I have " done the king, he would not have abandoned my " grey hairs : but this is my juft reward. I pray " you commend me moft humbly to the king, de- " firing him to remember all that hath pafled be- " tween us about queen Catherine ; and then his " grace may determine whether or not I have given " juft caufe of offence. He is a prince of royal " courage ; but, rather than be thwarted in his " pleafure, will run the rifque of lofing one half " of his realm. I have often kneeled before him three hours fucceflively, to diffuade him from his will and appetite, and could not prevail : there- fore, mafter Kingfton, if ever you be of his council, deliberate ferioufly upon what you in- tend to advife ; for, once he fets his heart up- on any thing, he is not to be diverted from the purfuit." Then he difcourfed upon the ftate of Herbert, religion, wilhing his majefty might take heed of Caven pcrogued the parliament, and ordered the deci- fions and writings in favour of the divorce to be printed and publifhed, that all his fubjeds might underftand the cafe before the next feffion. As he pafiionately defired to obtain Catherine's coti- fent to a feparation, he fent feveral biihops, and lay noblemen to perfuade her to wave her appeal ; and, when they prefled her to refer the caufe to the decifion of four ecclefiaftics, and as many fe- culars, fhe laid me would pray to God to fend the king a quiet confcience ; but, (he was his lawful wife, and would abide by her right, until the court Queen ca- of Rome mould declare the contrary. Henry C from finding her obftinacy infiirmountable, defired me would choofe her refidence at any of his manours ; and fhe anfwered, that to what place foever fhe mould be removed^ fhe could not be removed from the ftation of his wife. She firfl repaired to Moore, then to Eafthamdead, and afterwards to Ampthill. E N b of the F i T T H VOLUME. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY o 1995 iiiiiiiiiiinIiSL£i lillllllll A 000 007 491 4